(Jeswvcuv^  / 4 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


OP  THE 


MISSIONS 


IN 


^ ROREfl, 

■ : ' By  REV.  A.  GOSMAN,  D.  D.,  By  REV.  L.  W.  ECKARD,  : 


UMDBR  THE  CKRB  OP  THE 


a 


THIRD  EDITION.— (RaviSBjD). 


WOMAN’S  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF  THE 
PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

No.  1334  CHESOnniT  STREET,  PHIi:.ADEl.PHIA. 

1891. 


PRICE,  lO  CENTS. 


JAPAN. 


^ Cx:X>OOOOOOOCXDOOOOOOOOOOC>OCX3^ 


BY 


Rev.  a.  GOSMAN,  D.D. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/historicalsketchOOgosm_0 


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MAP  OF  JAPAN 

Showinjr  the  work  of  the  I'nited  f'hurch  of 
Christ. 

Names  of  places  where  there  are  organized 
Churches  are  underlined. 

In  all  other  places  shown  onthi.s  map. work 
is  in  i)rogres.s  but  no  Churches  have  yet 
been  organized. 

Decemb»:r.  1888. 

I Ear/l  ij  Am«ricui  lUok  Woir  Co.  Xr*  fork 


hNoyo 

izuvl 


MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


THE  COUNTRY. 

The  islands  wliicli  comiDOse  the  Japanese  empire  stretch  in  a 
crescent  shape  along  the  northeastern  coast  of  Asia,  from  Kamt- 
chatka  on  the  north  to  Korea  on  the  south,  embracing  an  area 
of  about  160,000  square  miles.  They  are  veiy  numerous,  but  the 
four  islands  of  Yezo,  Nijdion  (or  more  accurately  Hondo), 
Shikoku  and  Kiushiu  form  the  great  portion  of  the  empire.  The 
climate,  except  in  the  very  northern  islands,  is  mild  and  healthful. 
The  heats  of  summer  are  tem])ered  by  the  surrounding  ocean, 
and  the  Gulf  Stream  of  the  Pacific,  which  washes  the  eastern 
shores  of  these  islands,  mitigates  the  severity  of  the  winter.  In 
location  and  climate  there  is  a striking  similarity  between  tliese 
islands  and  those  of  the  British  empire,  so  that  Jajian  may  he 
called  the  Great  Britain  of  the  East.  The  great  mountain  chain 
which  forms  the  backbone  of  the  islands  is  broken  by  frequent 
valleys,  exceedingly  fertile,  and  opening  out  to  the  sea  in  small 
but  fruitful  plains.  The  skies  are  clear  and  beautiful,  and  nature 
clothes  itself  in  its  brightest  robes  of  green.  It  is  a land  of  fruits 
and  flowers,  and  its  hills  are  stored  with  the  choicest  minerals. 
At  the  census  of  1888  the  population  of  the  empire  was  40,000,- 
000. 

A fertile  soil,  healthful  air,  temperate  climate,  abundant  food, 
and  comparative  isolation  from  other  nations,  with  that  subtle, 
ever-present  sense  of  uncertainty  which  clings  to  all  volcanic 
regions,  have  shaped,  to  a large  extent,  the  character  and  history 
of  the  i^eople. 

THE  PEOPLE. 

The  Japanese  are  a kindly  people,  impressible,  quick  to  observe 
and  imitate,  ready  to  adopt  whatever  may  seem  to  promote  their 
present  good,  imaginative,  fond  of  change  and  yet  withal  loyal 
to  their  government  and  traditions.  The  long  and  bloody  strifes 
which  have  marked  their  history  have  not  only  left  their  impress 
in  a strong  martial  spirit,  but  have  naturally  resulted  in  se2)arat- 

3 


4 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


ing  the  peojjle  into  two  great  classes,  the  Samurai  or  military — • 
who  in  Japan  are  at  the  same  time  the  literati,  holding  both  the 
sword  and  the  pen — -and  the  agriculturists,  merchants  and  artisans. 
The  distinction  holds  not  only  in  their  social  but  in  their  intel- 
lectual and  moral  character.  What  is  descriptive  of  the  one  class 
is  not  nece.ssarily  true  of  the  other.  The  ruling  or  military  class 
are  intelligent,  cultured,  courteous,  restless,  proud,  quick  to  avenge 
an  affront,  ready  even  to  take  their  own  lives  upon  any  reproach, — 
thinking,  apparently,  that  the  only  thing  that  will  wash  out  a 
stain  upon  their  honor  is  their  own  blood.  The  more  menial  class 
is  low,  superstitious,  degraded,  but  more  contented.  The  average 
Japanese  is,  however,  comparatively  well  educated,  reverent  to 
elders,  obedient  to  parents,  gentle,  affectionate,  and,  as  far  as  this 
life  is  concerned,  indifferent,  and,  in  that  sense,  haj^py.  But  there 
is  a sad  want  of  the  higher  moral  virtues.  Truth,  purity,  temper- 
ance, unselfish  devotion,  self-denial,  love  to  men,  are  not  prominent 
virtues : they  are  lamentably  wanting.  Even  that  obedience  to 
IJarents  which  may  be  regarded  as  their  characteristic  virtue,  has 
been  carried  to  such  an  extent  practically,  is  held  so  fully  without 
any  limitations  in  personal  rights  or  conscience,  that  it  actually 
proves  “ the  main  prop  of  paganism  and  superstition,  and  is  the 
root  of  the  worst  blot  on  the  Japanese  character — the  slavery  of 
])rostituted  women.”  The  idea  of  chastity  seems  almost  to  have 
perished  from  the  Japanese  life. 

THE  HISTORY. 

The  history  of  Japan  falls  into  three  great  periods.  The  lines 
of  division  are  so  well  marked  that  all  writers  recognize  them. 
The  first  stretches  into  the  remote  past,  and  comes  down  to  about 
the  middle  of  the  twelfth  century.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  ab- 
origines have  gradually  retired  before  a stronger  foreign  power, 
until,  partly  by  destruction  and  partly  by  amalgamation  with 
their  conquerors,  they  have  well-nigh  disappeared.  The  pure 
Ainos — or  the  original  inhabitants — are  found  only  in  the  north- 
ern portion  of  the  islands.  It  is  not  certain  from  what  quarter  the 
adventurers  came ; but  the  existence  of  Chinese  words  in  their 
language,  and  the  known  relation  between  these  two  nations  in 
later  historic  periods,  point  to  the  swarming  hive  of  China  as  one 
of  the  sources  from  which  the  present  Japanese  have  come  ; while 
another  element  of  the  population  is  of  Malay  origin.  The 
jrresent  mikado  or  emperor  of  Japan  traces  his  line  back  in  un- 
broken succession  to  about  660  b.  c.,  when,  according  to  their 
tradition,  Jimmu  Tenno,  the  first  mikado — sprung  from  the  sun- 
goddess — landed  upon  the  islands  with  a few  retainers,  and,  after 
a severe  and  protracted  struggle  with  the  natives,  established  the 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


5 


empire.  The  dynasty  thus  founded  has  never  lost  its  hold  upon 
the  people,  who  regard  the  emperor  as  divine,  and  whose  loyalty 
has  its  support  and  strength  in  their  religion.  Its  actual  power, 
however,  has  been  liable  to  great  fluctuations.  The  ruling  prince 
found  it  difficult  at  times  to  restrain  the  power  and  pride  of  his 
nobles,  or  daimios.  They  were  restless,  ambitious,  wielding  abso- 
lute power  in  their  own  domain,  and  chaflng  under  restraints — 
rendering  oftentimes  a formal  rather  than  a real  allegiance  to  the 
supreme  ruler.  It  was  not  an  unnatural  step,  therefore,  when 
Y oritomo,  one  of  these  powerful  nobles,  employed  by  the  emperor 
to  subdue  his  rebellious  subjects,  usurped  the  entire  executive 
authority,  and  thus  closed  the  first  period  of  the  history. 

The  second  period  reaches  from  the  origin  of  this  dual  power  in 
the  state — -1143  A.  d. — until  the  restoration  of  the  imperial  author- 
ity— 1853-1868.  Yoritomo  never  claimed  the  position  or  honor 
of  emperor.  He  was  not  a rival  to  the  mikado.  He  recognized 
the  source  of  authority  in  the  divine  line,  but  under  the  title  of 
shogun  or  general,  exercised  regal  jiower,  and  ti’ansmitted  his  office 
in  his  own  line,  or  in  rival  families.  His  edicts  were  in  the  name 
of  the  emperor.  It  was  his  policy  to  assume  only  to  be  the  first 
of  the  princes  under  the  divine  head.  The  title  of  tycoon  (taikun, 
great  lord),  attributed  to  him  by  foreign  j^owers,  was  never 
claimed  by  him  until  the  treaty  with  Cbmmodore  Perrj^  in  1853. 
It  was  the  assumption  of  this  title  which  prepared  the  way  for 
his  downfall  and  the  overthrow  of  the  whole  system  connected 
with  him — a system  which,  like  the  feudal  system  of  the  Middle 
Ages,  having  served  its  purpose,  now  stood  as  a bar  to  the  nation’s 
progress,  and  must  therefore  perish. 

It  was  during  this  period  that  the  papal  missionaries  under 
Francis  Xavier  reached  Japan — 1549.  Although  meeting  with 
serious  difficulties,  in  his  ignorance  of  the  language  and  the  oppo- 
sition made  by  the  followers  of  the  existing  religions,  Xavier  was 
well  received  and  had  great  success.  Converts  were  rapidly 
multiplied,  so  that  in  about  thirty  years  there  were  two  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  native  Christians.  But  his  success  was  due 
partly  to  the  doctrines  he  preached — in  contrast  with  Buddhism 
full  of  hope  and  promise — but  mainly  to  the  fact  that  he  made 
the  transition  from  heathenism  to  Christianity  very  easy.  It 
was  largely  the  substitution  of  one  form  of  idolatry  for  another. 
The  political  plans  and  intrigues  of  the  Jesuits  soon  awakened 
the  opposition  of  the  natives.  The  flames  of  civil  war  were 
kindled  and  the  Christians  were  exterminated  with  the  decree 
over  their  graves,  “ So  long  as  the  sun  shall  warm  the  earth, 
let  no  Christian  be  so  bold  as  to  come  to  Japan.”  The  edict 
forbidding  Christianity  was  followed  by  one  rigidly  excluding  all 


6 


HISTORICAL  sketch  OF 


foreigners  from  Jaj)an,  with  the  exception  of  a few  Dutch  traders, 
who  under  the  most  humiliating  conditions  were  allowed  a resi- 
dence in  Deshima,  a little  island  in  the  jiort  of  Nagasaki.  The 
Japanese  were  forbidden  to  leave  their  country,  and  those  even 
who  were  driven  from  their  land  by  storms,  or  carried  by  the  cur- 
I’ents  of  the  sea  to  other  shores,  if  they  returned  were  to  be  put  to 
death.  This  furnishes  an  instructive  comment  ujwn  the  spirit 
and  methods  in  which  Jesuit  mi.ssions  are  conducted. 

The  policy  of  entire  seclusion,  so  inaugurated,  was  maintained 
until  the  treaty  with  Commodore  Perry,  in  1853,  which  introduces 
the  third  period  in  the  history  of  Japan.  It  would  be  a mistake, 
however  (as  Griffis — “ The  Mikado’s  Em^iire,”  chaj).  xxviii.— - 
has  clearly  shown),  to  attribute  the  great  revolution  which  then 
began,  and  was  completed  in  the  restoration  of  the  mikado  to  his 
rightful  throne  in  1868,  solely  to  such  an  event  as  this,  or  to  the 
subsecpient  treaties  with  other  western  powers.  No  mere  external 
event  like  this  could  have  tired  the  popular  heart  unless  it  had 
been  prepared  for  it.  INIighty  forces  were  at  work  among  the 
people  tending  to  this  result.  They  were  growing  restless  under 
the  usurpation  of  the  shognn.  Rival  families  who  had  been  snb- 
jected,  were  plotting  his  destruction.  The  more  cultivated  of  the 
jieople  were  growing  acquainted  with  the  facts  and  principles  of 
their  earlier  history.  Men  of  culture  and  influence — scholars, 
soldiers,  statesmen — were  laboring  to  bring  back  the  old  regime. 
The  introduction  of  the  foreigner,  even  in  the  restricted  degree  in 
which  it  was  first  permitted,  only  served  to  hasten  what  was 
already  sure  to  come.  It  was  the  spark  which  kindled  the 
elements  into  a flame.  But,  whatever  the  cause,  a mighty  revo- 
lution swept  over  the  land.  The  mikado  resumed  his  power. 
The  shogun  was  compelled  to  resign  his  position,  the  more  power- 
ful daimios  were  removed  from  their  fiefs,  the  whole  feudal  system 
fell  as  at  a single  blow,  and  the  goveimment  administered  like  the 
modern  governments  of  Europe,  was  established.  The  mikado, 
without  formally  renouncing  his  claim  upon  the  loyalty  and 
homage  of  his  people  on  the  ground  of  his  divine  descent,  has 
come  out  from  his  sechrsion,  has  changed  his  capital  to  the  great 
city  of  Tokyo,  moves  among  his  people  like  other  princes,  seems 
disposed  to  seek  their  interests,  and  is  making  strenuous  efforts  to 
secure  for  Jajian  a recognized  place  among  the  enlightened 
nations  of  the  world.  It  was  this  treaty  and  the  revolution  which 
followed  it,  which  opened  the  way  for  Christian  work  in  Jaiam. 

An  event  which  moved  the  entire  nation  to  rejoicing,  and  stiried 
the  hearts  of  all  Japan’s  well  wishers  with  thanksgiving,  was  tlie 
})romulgation  of  the  National  Constitution,  in  February,  188!). 
This  pledge  of  the  nation’s  new  existence  as  a Constitutional 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


7 


Monarchy  went  into  effect  February  11,  1890,  and  the  Diet  pro- 
vided for,  comprising  a House  of  Peers  and  a House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, met  for  the  first  time  November  29th,  1890.  Free- 
dom of  conscience  and  liberty  of  worship  are  guaranteed  to  all. 
The  revision  of  treaties  is  now  confidently  expected  (1890).  This 
means  that  all  Japan  will  be  open  to  foreigners.  Heretofore 
foreign  residents  could  live  only  in  port  cities,  and  could  travel 
into  the  interior  only  by  permission  gained  on  a plea  of  ill-health 
or  the  pursuit  of  science.  By  the  revision  of  treaties  our  mis- 
sionaries will  be  permitted  to  preach  the  gospel  in  the  interior 
without  hindrance. 

RELIGIONS  IN  JAPAN. 

The  early  faith  of  the  Japanese  (Shintoism)  seems  to  have  been 
little  more  than  a deification  and  worship  of  nature,  and  a su- 
preme reverence  for  their  ancestors  and  rulers,  who  were  not 
the  representatives  of  God,  but  the  divinities  themselves.  Its 
central  principle  is  the  divinity  of  the  mikado,  and  the  duty  of 
all  Japanese  to  obey  him  implicitly.  “ It  is  in  no  proper  sense 
of  the  term  a religion.  It  is  difficult  to  see  how  it  could  ever  have 
been  so  denominated.”  Whatever  it  may  have  been  originally, 
in  its  revised  form  as  it  now  exists,  it  is  little  more  than  a politi- 
cal principle  underlying  the  form  of  government,  and  em- 
bodying itself  in  governmental  laws  and  regulations.  It  is  the 
state  religion,  but  has  a feeble  hold  upon  the  masses  of  the  people. 
It  does  not  claim  to  meet  or  satisfy  any  of  the  religious  demands 
of  our  nature.  It  left  the  way  open  for  any  system  which  should 
propose  to  meet  those  demands. 

About  550  A.D.  the  Buddhists  carried  their  faith  from  China  to 
Japan.  Buddhism,  originating  in  India,  but  subsequently  ex- 
pelled from  its  native  soil,  swept  through  Burmah,  Siam,  China, 
northeastern  Asia  and  Japan,  and  now  holds  nearly  one-third  of 
the  human  race  among  its  adherents.  Theoretically  it  is  a system 
of  godless  philosophy,  connected  with  a relatively  pure  and 
elevated  morality. 

But  this  is  not  Buddhism  as  it  came  to  Japan.  In  the  twelve 
hundred  years  of  its  existence  it  had  grown  from  a philosophi- 
cal system  into  a vast  ecclesiastical  and  sacerdotal  system,  with 
its  idols,  its  altars,  its  priests  and  ritual,  its  monks  and  nuns 
— indeed,  a Roman  Catholicism  without  Christ.  It  found  a 
congenial  and  unoccupied  soil  in  the  Japanese  mind,  and,  al- 
though meeting  with  opposition,  spread  rapidly  until  it  ulti- 
mately embraced  the  great  mass  of  the  people.  It  reached  its 
golden  age,  in  Japan,  about  the  thirteenth  and  fourteenth  cen- 
turies, A.D.,  when  the  land  was  filled  with  its  temples,  priests  and 


8 


historical  sketch  of 


worshippers  * Buddhism,  in  Japan,  has  its  diiferent  sects  or  de- 
nominations, hearing  the  names  of  its  great  teachers  and  apostles, 
varying  almost  as  widely  in  doctrines  and  customs  as  Protestants 
vary  from  Romanists,  but  still  all  united  iu  opposition  to  the 
Christian  faith.  While  it  has  lost  soiiiething  of  its  power  and 
glory,  and  deteriorated  in  its  moral  teachings,  it  is  still  the  relig- 
ion of  the  j^eople,  and  presents  the  great  religious  obstacle  to  the 
introduction  and  spread  of  the  gospel. 

Confucius  also  has  his  followers  in  Japan ; but  as  that  great 
philosopher  never  claimed  to  be  a religious  teacher,  never  discussed 
or  answered  the  momentous  questions  as  to  man’s  religious  nature, 
his  origin  or  his  destiny,  and  regarded  man  solely  in  his  political, 
social  and  moral  relations  in  this  life,  Confucianism  cannot  be 
regarded  as  a religion.  It  offers  no  serious  hindrance  to  the 
ju’ogress  of  Christian  missions.  Shintoism  as  the  religion  of 
the  state,  allying  itself  with  modern  secularism  ; and  atheism  and 
Buddhism,  the  religion  of  the  masses,  are  the  Japanese  ration- 
alism and  superstition  which  the  gospel  must  meet  and  over- 
come. 

PREPARATIONS  FOR  THE  WORK. 

For  this  work  the  way  had  been  wonderfully  prepared.  The 
providence  of  God  was  clearly  leading  the  Church  to  this  field. 
American  enterprise  had  reached  the  Pacific  slope,  and  was  push- 
ing its  commerce  to  the  eastern  continent,  which  now  lay  at  its 
doors.  I.iines  of  steamers  went  out  from  the  Golden  Gate,  and 
on  their  way  to  China  skirted  these  beautiful  islands,  which, 
although  secluded  from  the  world,  were  known  to  be  filled  with 
a teeming  population.  The  scanty  information  which  the  civilized 
world  had  obtained  through  the  Dutch  traders,  fed  the  desire  to 
know  more.  The  necessities  of  commerce  seemed  to  demand  that 
the  long  seclusion  shonld  cease.  On  the  other  hand  there  had  been, 
as  we  have  seen,  a great  awakening  among  the  Japanese  them- 
selves. The  spirit  of  inquiry  which  led  their  scholars  back  into 
their  earliest  records,  turned  their  thoughts  also  to  the  outlying 
world.  Eager  and  searching  questions  were  put  to  the  Dutch 
traders.  A dim  conception  of  the  sujjerior  power  and  civilization 
of  the  western  world  began  to  dawn  upon  their  minds.  The  more 
thoughtful  were  longing  for  a cleai’er  knowledge  of  the  outside 
world,  and  to  break  through  the  barriers  which  had  so  long  shut 
them  in.  At  the  same  time  the  fermentation  in  religious  thought. 


* The  most  famous  statues  (or  idols)  of  Buddha  are  the  Dai-Butz  (Great  Buddha)  at  Kama- 
kura and  Nara.  That  at  Kamakura  is  a mass  of  copper  forty-four  feet  high.  The  Nara 
image  is  larger,  although  not  so  perfect  as  a work  of  art.  It  is  fifty-three  and  a half  feet 
high  ; its  face  is  sixteen  feet  long  and  nine  feet  wide.  It  is  a bronze  composed  of  gold,  tin, 
mercury  and  copper. 


TH^  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


9 


connected  with  the  political  and  social  changes  in  the  restoration 
of  the  Shinto  faith,  with  the  mikado’s  power,  was  favorable  to  the 
spirit  of  inquiry.  Those  who  were  wearied  and  dissatisfied  were 
ready  to  listen  favorably  to  the  claims  of  the  new  faith  which  was 
even  now  standing  at  their  doors.  At  this  juncture,  in  1853,  a 
small  American  squadron  under  Commodore  Perry — in  no  s^iirit 
of  conquest,  but  in  the  interest  of  commerce  and  humanity — 
appeared  in  Japanese  waters,  and  succeeded  in  opening  the 
long-sealed  gates.  The  fleet  under  Perry  was  the  i-epresentative 
of  the  western  nations.  The  American  treaty  was  rapidly  followed 
by  treaties  with  other  powers,  granting  larger  privileges.  In  1860 
Mr.  Townsend  Harris,  United  States  consul-general  for  Japan, 
negotiated  a new  treaty,  opening  other  parts  of  the  empire  to 
commerce,  in  which  Christianity  and  Christian  teaching  were  no 
longer  forbidden,  and  the  custom  of  trampling  on  the  cross  was 
abolished,  but  which  contained  no  clauses  granting  liberty  to  the 
Japanese  to  embrace  the  Christian  faith,  or  to  Christian  mission- 
aries to  proclaim  its  truths. 

MISSION  WORK  IN  JAPAN. 

The  Christian  Church  was  watching  with  intense  interest  the 
steps  by  which  Japan  was  opened  to  the  civilized  word.  As  early 
as  1855,  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  requested 
D.  B.  McCartee,  M.l).,  one  of  its  missionaries  in  China,  to  visit 
Japan  and  make  inquiries  ])reparatory  to  sending  forth  a laborer 
to  this  long  inaccessible  field.  The  Board  believed  Dr.  McCartee 
to  be  peculiarly  qualified  for  this  important  pioneer  work,  and 
hoped,  if  his  reports  were  favorable,  to  enter  immediately  upon 
the  work  there.  Dr.  McCartee  went  at  once  to  Shanghai,  but 
was  unable  to  obtain  a passage  thence  in  any  vessel  to  the 
Japanese  ports,  and  after  some  delay  returned  to  his  work  at 
Ningpo.  The  way  was  not  yet  open.  It  was  thought  to  be  imprac- 
ticable then  to  establish  the  mission  contemplated,  and  the  Board 
waited,  watching  for  the  first  favorable  indication.  After  three 
years  of  waiting,  the  favorable  indication  was  seen  ; the  Executive 
Committee  reported  that  in  their  judgment  the  way  was  open,  and 
that  it  was  the  duty  of  our  Church  now  to  take  part  in  this  great 
work.  Brethren  were  found  ready  and  eager  to  be  sent.  Dr. 
James  C.  Hepburn  and  his  wife,  formerly  missionaries  in  China, 
but  then  residing  in  New  York,  where  Dr.  Hepburn  had  secured 
a handsomely  remunerative  practice,  were  appointed  by  the  Board, 
and  sailed  for  Shanghai,  on  their  way  to  Japan,  April  24,  1859. 
Rev.  J.  L.  Nevius  and  his  wife,  on  account  of  the  failure  of  Mrs. 
Nevius’s  health  in  Ningpo,  were  appointed  by  the  Board  to  be  asso- 


JO 


historical  sketch  of 


ciated  witli  Dr.  and  JMrs.  Hepburn  in  tlie  new  mission.  Thus  our 
Church  was  among  the  first  to  enter  the  o])en  field.  Dr.  Hepburn 
arrived  in  Japan  early  in  Nov.,  1859,  and  settled  at  Kanagawa,  a 
few  miles  from  Yedo  (now  Tokyo).  Here  a Buddhist  temple  was 
soon  obtained  as  a residence ; the  idols  were  removed,  and  the 
heathen  temple  was  converted  into  a Christian  home  and  church. 
The  missionaries  found  the  peojjle  civil  and  friendly,  inquisitive, 
bright,  eager  to  learn,  apt  in  making  anything  needed,  if  a model 
were  given  them.  There  was  no  decided  opposition  from  the 
government,  although  it  evidently  knew  who  the  missionaries 
were  and  what  was  the  object  t)f  their  coming.  They  were  kept 
under  constant  surveillance,  and  all  their  movements  were  re- 
ported to  the  rulers.  The  circumstances  in  which  they  were 
placed  greatly  facilitated  their  jirogress  in  the  study  of  the  lan- 
guage. Going  without  servants,  and  relying  entirely  upon  Japanese 
workmen,  carpentei’s,  servants,  etc.,  they  were  compelled  to  use 
the  language,  and  made  rapid  progress.  Dr.  Hepburn  says, 
“ The  written  language  is  no  doubt  more  difficult  than  the  Chinese, 
and  the  spoken  is  nearly  as  difficult,  though  quite  different  in 
structure.”  Public  service,  to  which  foreigners  were  invited,  was 
established  in  their  home,  and  the  mission  work  began — Dr.  Hep- 
burn using  his  medical  skill  and  practice,  as  furnishing  an  oppor- 
tunity to  speak  to  the  sick  and  suffering  of  Christ,  Avliose  gospel 
he  was  not  permitted  to  preach. 

]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Nevius  remained  in  Japan  nine  months  studying 
the  language.  Finding  that  direct  missionary  work  there  was  then 
impracticable  and  there  being  no  indication  of  favorable  changes  for 
the  future,  while  in  North  China,  just  opened  under  the  recent 
treaty  there  was  an  urgent  call  for  laborers,  they  obtained  permis- 
sion to  return  to  China.  For  a time  there  was  some  solicitude  for 
the  personal  safet}^  of  the  missionaries  in  Japan,  owing  to  a reaction- 
ary movement  among  the  ruling  classes.  They  were  jealous  of  their 
ju’crogatives,  and  in  many  cases  eager  for  a return  to  the  old  ex- 
clusive ])olicy  of  the  government.  But  the  danger  soon  ])assed 
away.  MTiile  the  missionaries  were  Avatched  Avith  the  utmost 
A’igilance,  they  Avere  not  interfered  Avith,  or  subjected  to  any  re- 
strictions Avhich  Avere  not  imposed  upon  other  foreigners  residing 
Avithin  the  empire.  They  coidd  not  yet  engage  in  direct  mission- 
ary work,  but  were  forcecT  to  content  themselves  Avith  the  Avork  in 
the  disjAensary,  Avith  the  acquisition  of  the  language,  and  the  dis- 
tribution of  a feAV  copies  of  the  Noav  Testament  in  Chinese,  Avhich 
it  Avas  found  a small  portion  of  the  people  could  read.  JMeaiiAvliile 
they  Avere  waiting  in  faith,  exiiloring  the  field,  Avatching  for  op- 
]3ortunities  Avhich  might  ])resent  themseh'es,  and  acquiring  the 
facilities  for  efficient  work  Avhen  the  time  should  come.  They 


THK  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


11 


found  the  people  eager  for  knowledge,  fond  of  reading,  and  fam- 
ishing for  the  Word  of  life.  There  was  a great  work,  therefore, 
in  the  translation  of  the  Scriptures  and  the  preparation  of  relig- 
ions tracts,  pressing  upon  them,  and  the  lone  missionaries  called 
earnestly  for  help. 

It  was  found  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  remain  at  Kana- 
gawa,  on  account  of  the  ojiposition  of  the  Jaj)anese  authorities  to 
I the  residence  of  foreigners  in  that  place.  Toward  the  close  of 
the  year  18()2 — after  three  j^ears’  residence  at  Kanagawa — Dr. 
Hepburn  purchased  a property  for  the  mission  in  Yokohama,  and 
removed  to  that  place.  It  lay  just  across  the  hay  from  his  pre- 
vious station,  hut  was  more  acceptable  to  the  authorities  because 
it  was  the  i)lace  where  other  foreigners  mostly  resided.  Soon 
after  the  removal  to  Yokohama,  the  Rev.  David  Thompson 
joined  the  mission,  and  the  work  in  the  study  of  the  language 
and  the  rough  preliminary  translation  of  the  Scrij)tures  was 
])ushed  forward  with  greater  energy  and  success.  Doors  were 
partly  opened  to  other  work.  Api)lication  was  made  that  the 
missionary  would  consent  to  instruct  a company  of  Japane.se 
youth  in  geometry  and  chemistry.  To  his  surprise  he  found 
these  young  men  far  advanced  in  mathematical  studies.  With 
this  instruction  in  English,  he  was  able  to  connect  lessons  in 
Christian  doctrines  and  duties ; and  thus,  though  informally,  he 
really,  began  to  preach  the  gospel. 

This  school,  wliich  was  so  full  of  promise,  was  soon  broken  up. 
The  country  was  in  a disturbed  state  ; society  was  rent  into  parties, 
which  were  bitterlj'^  hostile  to  each  other,  but  all  more  or  less 
jealous  of  any  foreign  influence.  The  young  men  were  called 
away  to  fill  ])osts  in  the  army,  but  most  of  them  took  copies  of 
the  Bible  in  English  and  Chinese.  The  seed  was  sown  : would 
it  germinate  and  bear  fruit?  They  could  not  yet  preach  the 
gospel  or  open  schools ; still  the  missionaries  did  not  lose  heart 
or  hope.  They  felt  that  they  were  doing  a necessary  work 
— they  were  laying  the  foundations  on  which  they  themselves,  and 
others  with  them,  should  build  afterward.  They  found  some  op- 
portunities in  connection  with  the  government  schools,  in  which 
they  had  been  invited  to  take  part ; and  Dr.  He])burn  was  already 
engaged  in  his  great  work  of  preparing  a Japanese  and  English 
dictionary,  which  he  found  exceedingly  difficult,  but  which  has 
been  so  hapjjily  completed.  He  was  opening  the  way  for  those 
who  should  follow  him.  The  first  edition  of  the  dictionary  was 
published  in  1807,  and  in  that  form  and  in  the  more  complete 
form  recently  issued,  has  proved  not  only  of  great  service  to  our 
missionaries,  but  to  all  other  English-speaking  missionaries  in 
that  land.  This  finished.  Dr.  Hepburn  wrote  stating  his  strong 


12 


historicai,  sketch  oe 


conviction  tliat  tlie  time  for  more  direct  work  liad  come,  and 
urged  the  Church  to  increase  her  force,  so  that  she  might  be 
able  to  take  her  place  in  that  work.  During  the  year  1868  the 
mission  was  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  Rev.  Edward  Comes 
and  his  wife.  The  held  of  work  was  gradually  enlarging ; the 
missionaries  enjoyed  freer  intercourse  with  the  people,  and  their 
knowledge  of  the  language  enabled  them  to  bring  the  truth  more 
perfectly  to  bear  u])on  the  hearts  of  those  with  whom  they  mingled. 
In  February,  186!-),  Mr.  Thompson  was  permitted  to  baptize  three 
converts,  two  of  whom  were  men  of  good  education  and  talent, 
and  one,  an  aged  woman.  Though  all  a])peared  intelligent  and 
earnest  followers  of  Christ,  and  although  the  government  had  not 
repealed  the  edicts  against  Christianity — indeed  had  republished 
them  as  soon  as  the  mikado  ascended  his  throne — these  converts 
were  not  molested. 

Rev.  C.  Carrothers  and  his  wife  arrived  in  Japan  in  1869,  and, 
in  connection  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Comes  and  Mr.  Thompson,  es- 
tablished a new  station  at  Yedo  (now  Tokyo),  which,  as  the  capital 
of  the  country,  and  the  residence  of  the  court  and  emperor,  afforded 
a wide  held  of  influence  and  usefulness.  A special  feature  of  the 
work,  growing  in  pnuninence  and  interest,  was  the  number  of 
young  men  who  sought  the  acxpiaintance  and  instruction  of  the 
missionaries,  and  who  were  destined  to  fill  ])ositions  of  influence 
among  their  countrymen — some  of  whom  became  thoughtful  and 
interested  students  of  the  Scriptures. 

The  mission  was  greatly  tried  by  the  sudden  death  of  Mr.  and 
(Mrs.  Comes  and  one  of  their  children,  in  August,  1870.  They 
had  just  embarked  on  board  a steamer  leaving  Yedo  for  Yoko- 
hama, when  the  boiler  exploded,  and  all  the  family  but  the  little 
babe  were  lost.  The  Rev.  Henry  Loomis  and  his  wife  and  the 
Rev.  E.  Rothesay  Miller  joined  the  mission  in  1872. 

From  1859  to  1872  our  missionaries,  with  those  from  other 
churches,  had  been  engaged,  as  we  have  seen,  in  preparatory 
work — in  the  study  of  the  language ; in  the  dispensaries  and  the 
religious  instruction  connected  with  them ; in  translating  the 
Scriptures  ; in  teaching  private  classes ; and  in  the  government 
schools.  During  all  this  ])eriod  there  was  no  regular  stated 
ju'eaching  of  the  gospel  to  a native  audience.  “ The  missionary 
Boards  were  restless  and  the  missionaries  were  not  satisfied.”  The 
edicts  declaring  that  every  one  accepting  the  “ vile  Jesus  doctrine” 
would  be  put  to  death,  Avere  published  all  over  the  land.  There 
Avas  no  actual  persecution  ; there  Avas,  on  the  contrary,  a general 
belief  that  religious  toleration  Avould  be  granted.  The  period 
Avas  one  of  Avaiting  and  expectation  ; and  although  it  Avas  true  that 
“ God  led  our  missionaries  into  the  schools,  and  the  kingdom  of 


'THE  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


13 


C'lirist  entered  Japan  througli  the  schools,”  yet  it  was  felt  by  all 
that  this  state  of  things  could  not  and  ought  not  to  continue.  It 
was  time  to  try,  at  least,  the  public  preaching  of  the  gospel  and 
the  regular  methods  of  church  work. 

But  during  these  years  of  waiting  the  missionaries  had  witnessed 
great  events,  and  events  which  were  full  of  hope.  The  great 
political  revolution  had  been  completed  ; the  mikado  was  seated 
on  his  throne ; a new  policy  was  inaugurated  ; wiser  hands  were 
holding  the  helm  of  state ; more  liberal  measures  were  adopted, 
and  the  government,  once  repelling  foreign  intercourse,  now  sought 
eagerly  the  advantages  of  western  commerce  and  civilization. 
They  had  seen  the  departure  and  return  of  that  memorable  Jajia- 
nese  embassy  to  the  United  States,  and  the  nations  of  western 
Europe.  They  had  seen  that  wonderful  movement  of  students 
from  Japan  to  Europe  and  America,  and  were  feeling  its  results 
in  the  new  life  all  around  them.  Dr.  Ferris,  in  his  paper  at  the 
Mildmay  Conference,  says,  “ Returning  to  my  office  in  New  York 
City  on  a chilly,  rainy  afternoon  in  the  fall  of  1869, 1 found  await- 
ing me  a plain  man  and,  as  I supposed,  two  young  Chinamen. 
It  proved  to  be  the  captain  of  a sailing  vessel  and  two  Japanese 
young  men,  eighteen  and  twenty  years  old.  They  presented  a 
letter  of  introduction  from  Mr.  Verbeck  (a  missionary  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  Japan),  stating  that  they  were  of  good  family 
and  worthy  of  attention.  They  said  that  they  had  come  to  learn 
navigation  and  how  to  make  ‘ big  ships  and  big  guns.’  They  had 
left  Japan  without  the  consent  of  the  government,  and  their  lives 
were  forfeited.  The  young  men  were  well  connected,  and  through 
the  influence  of  their  family  and  the  missionaries,  they  obtained 
permission  to  remain  in  the  United  States.  This  was  the  begin- 
ning of  the  movement  which  has  brought  some  live  hundred  Japa- 
nese youth  to  the  schools  of  this  country,  and  as  many  more  to 
the  schools  of  Europe.”  Every  one  can  understand  how  much  this 
has  had  to  do  with  the  marvelous  progress  of  Japan.  It  was 
influential  in  originating  and  maintaining  a system  of  common 
schools  similar  to  that  of  the  United  States,  which  in  1889  em- 
braced over  thirty  thousand  schools  wdiere  over  three  million 
children  were  under  instruction. 

But  now  the  “set  time  to  favor”  Japan  had  fully  come.  The 
new  order  of  things  was  established.  Some  of  the  statesmen  con- 
nected with  the  government  had  been  pupils  of  the  missionaries. 
Others  had  been  educated  in  this  country.  A liberal  policy  was 
inaugurated  ; all  connection  of  the  state  with  any  form  of  religion 
ceased ; the  signboards  denouncing  Christianity  were  removed, 
and  toleration  for  all  forms  of  religion  became  practically,  though 
not  formally,  the  law  of  the  land.  The  calendar  was  changed  to 


14 


HISTORICAI,  sketch  OP 


conform  with  that  in  use  among  western  nations,  inclmVuuj  the 
weelxltj  day  of  red. 

The  Japanese  Chnrcli  was  horn  in  prayer.  In  Jannary,  1872, 
the  missionaries  at  Yokoliama,  and  English-speaking  residents  of 
all  denominations,  united  in  tlie  (jbservance  of  the  week  of  prayer. 
Some  Japanese  students  connected  with  the  private  classes  taught 
by  the  missionaries  were  present  through  curiosity  or  through  a de- 
sire to  please  their  teachers,  and  some  j)erhaps  from  a true  interest  in 
Christianity.  It  was  concluded  to  read  the  book  of  Acts  in  course 
day  by  day,  and,  that  the  Japanese  present  might  take  ])art  intel- 
ligently in  the  service,  the  Scripture  of  the  day  was  translated 
extemporaneously  into  their  language.  The  meetings  grew  in  in- 
terest, and  were  continued  from  week  to  week  until  the  end  of 
February.  After  a week  or  two,  the  Japanese,  for  the  first  time 
in  the  history  of  the  nation,  were  on  their  knees  in  a Christian 
])rayer-meeting,  entreating  God  with  great  emotion,  the  tears 
streaming  down  their  faces,  that  He  would  give  His  Spirit  to 
Jaj)an,  as  to  the  early  Cliurch  and  to  the  people  around  the  apos- 
tles. These  prayers  weie  characterized  by  intense  earnestness. 
C^aptains  of  men-of-war,  English  and  American,  who  witnessed  the 
scene,  said,  “The  })rayers  of  these  Japanese  take  the  heart  out  of 
us.”  The  missionary  in  charge  often  feared  that  he  would  faint 
away,  “so  intense  was  the  feeling.”  Such  was  the  first  Japanese 
prayer-meeting.  A cliurch  was  organized  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Brown, 
a missionary  of  the  Reformed  Church,  consisting  of  eleven  mem- 
bers. It  grew  rapidly  in  numbers,  and  its  members  were  not  only 
consistent,  bnt  in  many  cases  gave  unmistakable  signs  of  growth 
in  grace.  The  missionaries  of  the  Reformed  Church  and  our  own 
brethren  had  labored  siile  by  side,  and  were  now  rejoicing  in  this 
first  fruit  of  their  common  toil.  F or  a part  of  the  time,  indeed, 
IMr.  Thompson  had  charge  of  the  church.  Everything  now  wore 
a cheering  asjiect.  The  missionaries  give  an  outline  of  their  work 
as  follows:  “ Xecessary  books  have  been  prepared,  portions  of 
18cri|)ture  have  lieen  translated,  printed,  and  to  some  extent  circu- 
lated, schools  have  been  kept  np  and  well  attended,  tracts  and 
works  of  elementary  C'hristian  instruction  are  iu  process  of  pre- 
jiaration,  and  a church  is  organized.”  They  were  looking  forward 
to  a constant  and  rapid  growth  in  years  to  come.  Their  hopes 
were  not  unfounded.  From  this  time  the  progress  has  been 
rapid. 

This  year  (1872)  was  marked  also  by  the  entrance  of  women’s 
societies  into  this  field  of  Christian  work.  The  claims  of  their 
Jajianese  sisters  awakened  a deep  interest  in  the  hearts  of  our 
women.  A home  for  single  women  in  Tokyo  was  established  by 
the  Ladies’  Board  in  New  York,  needed  buildings  were  furnished 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


15 


and  teachers  supported;  and  the  Woman’s  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  in  Plnladelphia  took  under  their  care  Mrs.  Dr.  Hepburn, 
at  Yokohama,  and  Mrs.  Loomis  and  ]\Irs.  Carrothers,  in  Tokyo, 
and  all  looked  forward  with  eagerness  and  hope  to  a large  share 
in  the  Christian  work  in  Jai)an. 

Two  native  churches,  in  Yokohama  and  Tokyo,  were  organized 
in  the  following  year,  partly  through  the  preaching  and  personal 
influence  of  our  missionaries  ; hut  they  did  not  connect  them- 
selves with  the  Presbytery  which  was  organized  in  December  of 
that  year.  Rev.  Oliver  M.  Green  and  Misses  Youngman  and 
Gamble,  gave  needed  strength  to  the  mission,  and  the  whole  work 
of  translating  the  Scriptures,  disi)ensary  practice,  teaching  and 
preaching  was  carried  vigorously  forward. 

In  1874  the  mission  received  signal  marks  of  divine  favor. 
The  schools  were  in  a flourishing  state,  and  doing  efticient  ser- 
vice. Children  and  youth  were  grounded  in  the  knowledge  and 
faith  of  the  Bible.  Two  churches  were  regularly  organized  under 
the  care  of  the  Presbytery,  the  one  in  Yokohama  and  the  other 
in  Tokyo — the  former  consisting  of  twenty-three  members,  all  on 
profession  of  fliith,  and  the  latter  of  twenty-three  also,  of  whom 
sixteen  were  received  on  their  confession  of  Christ.  Each  of 
these  churches  was  re})resentetl  in  Presbytery  by  a native  elder, 
and  soon  after  their  reception  eight  young  men  apj)lied  to  be 
taken  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  as  candidates  for  the 
ministry.  After  due  examination  they  were  received,  and  ar- 
rangements were  made  for  their  training  for  the  work.  Mr. 
Thompson  was  meanwhile  acting  as  the  pastor  of  one  of  the 
independent  churches,  and  had  received  about  forty  into  the 
communion  of  the  church  during  the  year.  The  very  success  of 
the  work  imposed  new  burdens  uj)on  the  brethren.  The  theo- 
logical class  recpiired  constant  care  and  instruction.  It  was  easy 
to  see  that  much  would  depend  for  the  future  u])on  the  qualiflca- 
tions  and  piety  of  the  native  ministry.  The  care  of  the  churches 
now  organized,  but  as  yet  without  native  pastors,  was  heavy  and 
constant.  The  schools,  mainly  under  the  care  of  the  women’s 
societies,  called  for  new  workers  and  new  api)liances,  in  res})onse 
to  which  Mrs.  Carrothers’  school  at  Dfleyo  was  placed  upon  a 
new  basis  by  the  })rompt  and  liberal  action  of  the  Philadel])hia 
Society.  A lot  was  purchased  and  funds  for  a suitable  building 
promised,  so  that  this  school  might  be  thoroughly  equipped  for 
its  work — a work  which  cannot  be  overestimated  in  its  relation 
to  the  moral  purification  and  elevation  of  Ja]ianese  women,  and 
is  second  only  in  importance  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel. 
While  the  mission  was  reduced  in  numbers  by  the  transfer  of 
some  of  its  members  to  other  evangelical  missions  in  Japan,  and 


16 


HISTORICAl.  sketch  OF 


by  the  return  to  this  country  of  Mr.  and  Mrs  Loomis  on  account 
of  ill  health,  it  was  soon  reinforced  hy  the  arrival  of  Rev.  William 
Imhrie  and  his  wife  from  this  country,  and  hy  the  appointment 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  C.  Ballagh,  who  were  already  in  Japan.  The 
native  churches  were  not  only  growing  in  numbers,  but,  what 
is  of  greater  moment,  they  were  manifesting  a readiness  for  every 
Christian  work — sustaining  the  weekly  prayer-meetings,  and,  in 
connection  with  the  candidates  for  the  ministr}^  keejjiiig  up 
])reaching  stations  which  have  in  them  apparently  the  germs  and 
promise  of  separate  Christian  churches.  The  church  at  Tokyo 
began  at  once  to  send  out  its  offshoots  in  small  'nuclei  of  Chris- 
tians, gathered  in  other  parts  of  the  great  caj)ital  and  in  adjoin- 
ing towns,  which  were  one  after  another  organized  into  churches.' 
The  fire  was  spreading  in  all  directions. 

In  1876  the  report  of  the  missionaries  refers  to  a movement  on 
the  part  of  the  missionaries  of  the  Scotch  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church,  and  our  own  brethren, 
holding  a common  faith  and  occujrying  the  same  field,  which 
looked  to  the  adoption  of  the  same  standard  of  faith,  order  and 
worship,  and  to  a closer  union  in  church  work.  This  incipient 
union  was  consummated  in  the  following  year,  and  the  plan  pro- 
posed was  to  be  referred  to  the  highest  court  of  each  of  the  de- 
nominations for  approval.  The  result  was  the  organization  of 
the  “United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan,”  an  independent,  self-gov- 
erning Japanese  Church,  in  which  the  missionaries  are  only 
advisory  members.  This  church  has  now  co-operating  with 
it  the  representatives  of  seven  foreign  missionary  agencies,  viz., 
from  the  United  States  of  America — Reformed  (Dutch)  Church, 
Reformed  (German)  Church,  Presbyterian  Church  (North), 
Presbyterian  Clhurch  (South),  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Cliurch, 
Woman’s  Union  Missionary  Society  of  A meilca ; from  Scotland 
— the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  It  is  oue  of  the  strongest 
bodies  of  Christians  in  Ja])an. 

On  December  3,  1890,  the  United  Church  of  Christ  iu  Japan 
dropped  the  word  United  from  its  name,  and  adopted  as  its  Con- 
fession of  Faith  the  Ajiostles’  Creed  with  the  following  doctrinal 
])reface  : 


“ The  Lord  Jesus,  whom  we  adore  as  Clod,  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God, 
for  us  men  and  for  our  salvation,  became  man  and  suffered.  For  the  sake 
of  his  perfect  sacrifice  for  sin,  he  who  is  iu  him  by  faith  is  pardoned  and 
accounted  righteous ; and  faith,  working  by  love,  purifies  the  heart. 

“The  Holy  Spirit,  who  with  the  Fatlier  and  the  Son,  is  worshiped  and 
glorified,  reveals  Jesus  Christ  to  the  soul;  and  without  his  grace  man,  being 
dead  in  sin,  cannot  enter  the  Kingdom  of  God.  By  him  were  the  prophets 
and  holy  men  of  old  inspired  ; and  he,  speaking  in  the  Scriptures  of  the 


17 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 

Old  and  New  Testaments,  is  the  supreme  and  infallible  judge  in  all  matters 
of  faith  and  living. 

“ From  these  Holy  Scriptures  the  ancient  Church  drew  its  Confession  ; 
and  we,  holding  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  ioin  in  that  Confes- 
sion with  praise  and  thanksgiving : 

“1  believe  in  God  the  Father  Almighty,”  etc. 

What  effect  this  significant  step  will  have  in  hringing  the 
various  Churches  into  closer  sympathy  and  active  co-operation 
cannot  yet  he  foreseen. 

The  mission  received  in  1877  an  important  accession  of  seven 
missionaries — Rev.  Messrs.  Knox,  Alexander  and  Winn  with  their 
w'ives  and  Miss  Eldred — and  two  native  ordained  ministers.  New 
churches  were  added  to  the  list,  and  the  older  ones  were  growing 
in  numbers  and  in  healthy  Christian  work ; the  schools  were  vig- 
orous, well  attended,  partially  self-supporting  and  rendered  most 
efficient  aid.  The  translation  of  the  Scriptures  went  steadily  for- 
ward ; and  additions  were  made  of  well  cpialified  men  to  the 
native  ministry. 

In  1879  a new  station  was  formed  at  Kanazawa,  about  180 
miles  northwest  of  Osaka.  This  is  a most  important  field,  offei'- 
ing  opportunities  for  the  evangelization  of  the  great  provinces  of 
Kaga,  Noto,  Etchu,  and  a portion  of  Echizen.  Although  it  was 
at  first  thought  that  labor  in  this  comparatively  unvisited  part 
of  Japan  would  encounter  peculiar  prejudices  and  opposition, 
it  has  in  fact  been  a field  which  has  witnessed  rapid  advance  and 
afforded  great  encouragement.  Because  of  this  the  number  of 
laborers  has  been  much  increased.  The  present  year,  1890,  finds 
six  married  missionaries  in  this  particular  region,  and  six  unmar- 
ried ladies  engaged  in  the  schools.  Commodious  buildings  for 
the  boys’  schools  and  the  two  girls’  schools  have  been  erected, 
two  churches  organized  in  the  city  of  Kanazawa — a place  of 
90,000  population — while  in  other  cities  of  a population  varying 
from  10,000  to  60,000,  evangelistic  work,  both  by  native  preach- 
ers and  through  frequent  visits  of  the  missionaries,  is  being  vigor- 
ously pursued  and  richly  rewarded.  Most  important  among  the 
places  thus  brought  under  the  notice  of  the  Gospel  from  Kana- 
zawa as  a centre,  are  Toyama,  Takaoka,  Nanao,  Komatsu, 
Daishoji  and  Fukui.  Still  other  places  somewhat  more  distant 
from  Kanazawa  than  these,  and  until  very  lately  little  known 
even  by  the  missionaries  themselves,  are  now  being  reached  by 
them  in  their  effective  tours.  The  schools  have  greatly  increased 
in  numbers  and  favor,  while  among  their  scholars  are  to  be  found 
the  children  of  Governors  and  other  important  officials  of  the 
Provinces.  The  influence  of  the  missionaries  in  this  part  of  Japan 
seems  to  be  constantly  increasing. 


18 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


111  1880  the  missionaries  were  permitted  to  rejoice  in  the  com- 
pleted translation  of  the  New  Testament.  In  1888  the  translation 
of  the  Old  Testament  was  accomplished,  thus  giving  the  whole 
Bible  to  the  Japanese.  It  is  a great  satisfaction  to  Dr.  Hep- 
burn and  his  co-laborers  that  he  was  spared  to  jiut  the  finishing 
touch  to  this  great  work.  It  bids  fair  to  take  rank  among  the 
best  translations  ever  made.  Dr.  Hepburn  has  also  translated 
and  published  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and,  in  connection  with  a 
native  pastor,  the  Book  of  Discipline. 

CHURCHES. 

Four  new  churches  have  recently  been  organized — one  on  the 
far-away  island  of  Kiushiu  and  another  in  the  city  of  Shimonoseki, 
at  the  western  extremity  of  Niphon. 

“ But  the  most  hopeful  sign  in  connection  with  the  native 
Cdiurch  is  its  mi,';sionary  spirit.  The  church  in  Kirin,  to  the 
northwest  of  Tokyo,  owes  its  existence  to  the  labors  of  native 
evangelists.  The  church  at  Kiushiu  grew  up  under  the  hand  of 
a native  helper  not  yet  licensed.  More  than  eighteen  months 
ago  two  of  our  native  brethren  volunteered  to  go  to  Shimonoseki 
and  jireach  the  Gospel ; and  to-day,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  there 
is  a Christian  church  in  that  hotbed  of  bigotry,  prejudice  and 
Buddhism.  When  Mr.  Winn  decided  to  go  to  the  ‘interior,’ 
there  was  no  difficulty  in  finding  a native  helper  to  go  with  him 
Now  there  is  in  Kanazawa  a company  of  nineteen  believers, 
organized  into  a church,  which  has  erected  a neat  building  for 
worship,  free  of  any  expense  to  the  mission.  A few  months  ago 
a young  man  whose  health  made  it  necessary  that  he  should  leave 
Tokyo  came  to  the  missionaries  and  offered  to  go  into  the  interior 
and  preach  as  long  as  the  Lord  would  give  him  strength.  He  is 
now  located  in  Yamaguchi,  and  a blessed  work  is  growing  up 
around  him.  It  is  enough  to  make  a Christian’s  heart  beat  fast 
to  see  churches  springing  up  through  the  labors  of  these  native 
brethren,  and  in  these  strongholds  of  Satan.” 

The  church  at  Yokohama  has  introduced  and  carried  out  a 
plan  of  systematic  giving,  and  a strong  effort  is  being  made  to  get 
the  churches  as  near  the  standard  of  self-support  as  po.ssible.  The 
need  of  evangelistic  work  is  deeply  felt  and  arrangements  are 
made  so  that  some  of  the  brethren  can  devote  themselves  more  ex- 
clusively to  that  work.  The  native  brethren,  pastors,  evangelists 
and  lay  helpers  are  faithful  and  efficient. 

In  1881  the  new  station  at  Osaka,  the  second  city  of  the  empire, 
was  fully  organized.  There  is  preaching  by  foreign  and  native 
ministers,  teaching  in  day  and  boarding  schools  and  colportage 
by  native  Bible  readers,  both  men  and  women.  The  number 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


19 


of  native  laborers  lias  increased.  One  of  the  five  churches  con- 
nected with  this  station,  the  church  at  Yamaguchi,  supports  itself 
and  has  its  Home  Missionary  Society. 

The  Board  has  recently  formally  authorized  the  occupation  of 
two  new  stations  in  the  Western  Japan  iVIission,  Yamaguchi  and 
Kyoto.  Yamaguchi  is  the  capital  of  Yamaguchi  ken,  and  con- 
tains a population  of  .39,000.  A ken  is  a territorial  division  for 
purposes  of  government,  and  in  this  case  is  composed  of  two 
kuni,  old  feudal  provinces,  Suwo  and  Nagato.  Kyoto  is  the 
third  city  of  Japan,  and  for  centuries,  until  1868,  was  the  capital 
of  the  empire.  Its  religious  supremacy  is  still  acknowledged. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  Union  Theological  School  was  organized  in  September, 
1877,  by  the  missions  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland.  The  Union  College 
was  organized  in  June,  1883,  by  the  missions  of  the  American 
Presbyterian  and  the  Reformed  Churches.  In  June,  1886, 
these  institutions  were  united,  and,  with  the  Special  Department 
then  organized,  became  the  Meiji  Gakuin.  In  this  new  institu- 
tion the  Union  Theological  School  became  the  Japanese  Theo- 
logical Department,  the  Union  College  the  Academic  Depart- 
ment, and  the  Special  Department  offered  instruction  through 
the  medium  of  the  English  language  in  theology  and  other 
special  studies  to  the  graduates  of  the  Academic  Department 
and  to  others  similarly  qualified. 

The  aim  of  the  Meiji  Gakuin  is  to  provide  for  its  students  a 
thorough  education  under  Christian  influences,  and  especially  to 
train  young  men  for  the  Christian  ministry. 

The  institution  is  located  at  Shirokanemura,  aso  ithern  sub- 
urb of  Tokyo,  about  one  mile  northwest  of  the  railway  station  at 
Shinagawa.  Sandham  Hall,  Hepburn  Hall  and  Harris  Hall 
contain  recitation-rooms  sufficient  for  the  two  hundred  and  fifty 
students,  with  library  and  chapel,  besides  dormitory  and  dining- 
room accommodations  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  boarders.  Har- 
ris Hall  has  been  erected  during  the  past  year  through  the 
liberality  of  Messrs.  G.  S.  Harris  & Sous,  of  Philadelphia.  A 
theological  hall  will  soon  be  built. 

The  Meiji  Gakuin  Church  was  organized  in  the  year  1890  and 
has  88  members.  The  whole  number  of  Christians  among  the 
students  is  129,  of  whom  40  confessed  Christ  in  that  year.  The 
total  attendance  of  students  was  213. 

During  all  these  years,  from  1872,  woman’s  work  has  been 
prosecuted  with  great  patience  and  faith,  and  not  without  blessed 


20 


historical  sketch  of 


fruits.  These  faithful  workers  have  not  only  filled  a large  place 
in  the  schools,  but  in  their  personal  intercourse  with  the  women 
of  Japan,  and  by  religious  services  held  among  them,  have  done 
much  for  those  who  so  greatly  need  their  Christian  love  and  help. 
At  Yokohama  and  Tokyo  there  are  day-schools  of  great  efficiency 
and  promise,  and  the  activity  of  the  native  Christian  women 
there  in  extending  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel  is  very  remark- 
able. 

Among  these  day-schools  we  may  mention  the  Sumioshicho 
school,  in  Yokohama,  with  its  two  hundred  pupils  ; a flourishing 
private  school  in  Dai  Machi  owned  by  Mr.  Okami  and  taught  by 
ladies  of  our  church.  Miss  West  and  Miss  Alexander.  There  is 
also  the  Shiba  primary  school.  At  Takata  there  is  a day-school 
carried  on  by  teachers  from  Bancho. 

In  accordance  with  the  plan  recommended  by  the  Eastern  Japan 
Mission  and  sanctioned  by  the  Board,  Graham  Seminary  and  the 
Sakurai  school  for  young  women  (Bancho)  in  Tokyo  are  to  be  con- 
solidated. The  plan  provides  for  the  sale  of  the  properties  now  occu- 
pied by  these  schools  and  the  erection  of  suitable  buildings  on  a 
lot  not  far  from  Bancho,  already  secured  for  the  purpose.  Partial 
provision  having  been  made  during  the  summer  for  the  Bancho 
school  on  the  new  premises,  the  classes  were  opened  there  last 
autumn,  and  the  senior  class  of  Graham  Seminary  was  transferred 
and  united  with  that  of  Bancho.  As  soon  as  the  buildings  in 
process  of  erection  are  completed,  the  entire  consolidation  will 
be  eflected,  the  names  of  both  schools  being  perpetuated  by 
being  applied  to  each  of  the  two  main  buildings. 

Graduates  from  both  Sakurai  and  Graham  are  teaching 
throughout  the  Empire,  or  proclaiming  the  Truth  through  their 
efforts  as  Bible  women. 

The  Tokyo  Bible  Institute,  hitherto  under  the  care  of  Miss 
Youngman,  is  now  under  the  supervision  of  Miss  West  and  Miss 
Alexander,  and  numbers  twenty-two  pupils.  Perhaps  no  agency 
for  the  dissemination  of  the  Truth  is  more  efficient  than  that  of 
the  Bible  women  in  Japan,  and  this  class  is  only  one  of  many 
that  have  gone  and  will  go  out  on  this  blessed  errand  of  mercy. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1883  the  mission  was  greatly  af- 
flicted by  the  sudden  death  of  Mrs.  Ballagh,  and  again,  in  1887, 
by  the  death  of  Mrs.  MacNair. 

There  are  in  the  Osaka  Mission  the  boys’  school,  in  Kanazawa  ; 
the  girls’  school,  in  Kanazawa;  the  girls’  school  in  Osaka,  and 
the  children’s  school,  in  Kanazawa.  Children  are  under  the 
instruction  also  of  Mrs.  Curtis  and  Miss  Cuthbert,  in  Hiro- 
shima, 


THK  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


21 


CONCLUSION. 

Every  year  additious  are  made  to  the  mission  force — in  1882 
there  were  six  sent  out,  but  the  mission  was  called  to  mourn  the 
death  of  the  Rev.  Oliver  M.  Green.  In  1890  the  reinforcements 
again  numbered  six,  making  a total  of  72,  only  two  of  whom  are 
at  home  on  furlough. 

Since  the  Presbyterian  Church  is  only  an  integral  jiart  of  the 
whole  United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan,  it  is  difficult  to  say 
exactly  where  the  limit  of  our  field  lies.  A table  prepared  for 
the  annual  report  of  tlie  Board  for  1890  is  added,  giving  statis- 
tics which  cover  the  whole  field : 

Statistics  of  Jajxm  Missions. 


Ordained  missionaries 21 

Medical  missionaries . . . . 2 

Lay  missionary 1 

Married  lady  missionaries 22 

Unmarried  lady  missionaries 25 

Statistics  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan. 

Outstations 94 

Churches 68 

Communicants 8,954 

Added  during  year  . . . . 1,348 

Japanese  ministers 40 

“ licentiates 47 

Schools 31 

Theological  students 34 

Young  men  and  boys  in  schools 438 

Young  women  and  girls  in  schools 2,08u 

Total  in  schools 2,552 

Total  of  Christians  in  schools 704 

Contributions $13,500 


Of  the  above  summary  about  one-half  may  be  fairly  credited 
to  the  Presbyterian  Chureli  (North),  as  it  furnishes  about  half 
the  missionaries  and  half  the  funds  j^i’ovided  by  the  foreign  mis- 
sionary societies  co-operating  with  the  United  Church. 

This  sketch  of  what  our  Church  has  done  in  this  interesting 
and  rapidly  developing  field  would  be  incomplete  if  we  were  to 
fail  to  speak  of  some  of  the  difficulties  that  accompany  work  for 
the  Japanese.  Tli«ey  are  a very  high-spirited  people,  proud  of 
tlieir  history  and  very  uneasy  under  constraint  or  control  if  it  seems 
to  come  from  a foreign  source.  J ust  now,  with  his  easy  aptitude  for 
change,  the  Japanese  thinks  he  should  lead  his  own  church,  and 
develop  his  own  theology.  This  is  a transition  period,  a testing 
time  in  which  his  true  moral  strength  will  be  tried.  A quick 
change  from  the  religion  of  centuries  to  one  unknown  fifty  years 
ago ; the  rapid  spread  of  knowledge  ; the  multiplying  newspapers  ; 
the  constantly  enlarging  schools ; the  higher  education  of  both 
men  and  women,  and  the  favoring  providence  of  God,  controlling 
and  shaping  the  plans  of  the  rulers  of  the  nation,  and  its  com- 


22 


HISTORICAL  sketch  OF 


mercial  progress, — all  these  are  most  powerful  in  leading  a nation 
on,  and  it  is  not  strange  that  we  find  them  fraught  with  dangers 
and  difficulties  unforeseen.  It  is  probable  that  the  hindrance 
growing  out  of  the  history  of  the  Jesuit  mission  has  been  already 
removed.  The  intelligent  Japanese  statesmen  doubtless  see  that 
there  is  nothing  in  the  efforts  and  growth  of  Protestant  evangelical 
missions  to  imperil  the  stability  of  the  government.  The  liuman 
heart  in  Ja])an  is  no  more  opposed  to  the  gospel,  or  inaccessible 
to  it,  than  it  is  elsewhere.  But  the  same  tendency  in  the  Japa- 
nese mind  which  leads  it  to  listen  to  the  gospel,  lays  it  open  to 
other  and  hurtful  teachings.  The  government  schools  in  every 
grade  are  essentially  irreligious.  Rationalistic  and  infidel  teach- 
ings are  not  discouraged  by  the  authorities;  indeed,  they  are 
S])reading  to  some  extent  among  the  native  Christians,  and  there 
is  as  yet  no  general  Christian  sentiment  counteracting  their  influ- 
ence. The  rush  and  whirl  of  events,  the  rapid  political  and  social 
changes,  the  eagerness  with  which  the  great  body  of  the  peo]de 
are  ])ressing  into  new  ])ursuits  and  a new  life,  are  not  altogether 
favorable  to  the  healthy  and  sure  spread  of  the  gosiiel.  The 
Creek  and  Roman  Churches,  too,  are  busy.  The  Holy  Synod  of 
Russia  makes  liberal  grants  year  by  year  for  its  mission  work  in 
Japan,  and  sends  out  its  missionaries  under  instruction  from  the 
Czar,  and  in  his  vessels  of  war.  Rcune  has  already  her  three 
bishops  and  her  numerous  bands  of  priests  and  nuns,  and  backed 
by  the  power  of  the  French,  hopes  to  regain  her  lost  position. 
It  is  with  these  materialistic  and  ske])tical  forces,  with  these  false 
forms  of  Christianity,  as  well  as  with  heathen  superstitions  and 
degradation,  that  the  Church  must  contend.  There  is  nothing  to 
dishearten  in  such  a pros])ect,  but  enough  to  drive  the  Church  to 
ju’ayer,  to  make  her  feel  the  need  of  greater  consecration  to  Christ 
and  of  greater  zeal  and  efforts  in  His  service,  to  lead  her  back  to 
the  source  of  all  her  strength  in  God,  and  then  lead  her  on  to  win 
this  empire  for  Him. 


Stations. 

EASTERN  MISSION. 

Yokohama  : on  the  bay,  a few  miles  below  Tokyo ; mission  begun,  1859  ; 
laborers — James  C.  Hepburn,  M.D.,  and  bis  wife;  Miss  Etta  W.  Case. 

Tokyo  : the  capital  of  Japan ; station  occupied,  1869  ; laborers — Rev. 
Messrs.  David  Thompson,  D.D.,  William  Imbrie,  D.D.,  George  William 
Knox,  D.D.,  James  M.  McCauley,  H.  M.  Landis  and  their  wives;  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  I).  B.  McC'artee,  Rev.  Theodore  M.  McYair,  Rev.  George  P.  Pierson, 
Prof,  and  Mrs.  J.  C.  Ballagb,  Mrs.  Maria  T.  True,  Miss  Kate  C.  Youugman, 
Miss  Carrie  T.  Alexander,  Miss  Isabella  A.  Leete,  Miss  Annie  R.  West, 


THK  MISSIONS  IN  JAPAN. 


23 


Miss  Annie  P.  Ballagli,  Miss  Bessie  P.  Millikeii,  Miss  C.  H.  Rose,  Miss 
Gertrude  C.  Bigelow,  Miss  Emma  Hayes,  Miss  Lily  Murray  and  Miss  Sarah 
Gardner. 

WESTERN  MISSION. 

Kanazawa  : on  the  west  coast  of  the  main  island,  about  one  hundred 
and  eighty  miles  northwest  of  Tokyo;  station  occupied,  1879;  Rev.  Messrs. 
Thomas  0.  IVinn,  Marshall  C.  Hayes,  J.  M.  Leonard,  A.  G.  Taylor,  G.  W. 
Fulton,  J.  W.  Doughty  and  their  wives;  Miss  Mary  K.  Hesser,  Miss  F.  E. 
Porter,  Mrs.  L.  M.  Naylor,  Miss  Kate  Shaw  and  Miss  H.  S.  Loveland. 

Osaka  : a seaport  on  the  main  island,  about  twenty  miles  from  Hiogo ; 
station  occupied,  1881 ; Rev.  Messrs.  Thomas  T.  .Alexander,  B.  C.  Haworth, 
George  E.  Woodhull  and  their  wives ; Miss  Ann  Eliza  Garvin,  Miss  Alice 
R.  Haworth  and  Miss  M.  E.  McGuire. 

Hiroshima;  on  the  Inland  Sea;  station  occupied,  1887  ; Rev.  Messrs. 
F.  S.  Curtis  and  .1.  B.  Ayres  and  their  wives;  Miss  M.  Nellie  Cuthbert. 

Ka'OTO:  station  occupied,  1890;  Rev.  J.  B.  Porter,  and  Rev.  John  P. 
Hearst,  Ph.D.,  and  their  wives. 


Missionaries  in  Japan,  1859-1891. 

* Died.  Figures,  Term  of  Service  in  the  Field. 


Alexander,  Rev.  T.  T., 

1877- 

Alexander,  Mrs., 

1877- 

Alexander,  Miss  C.  T., 

1880- 

Ayres,  Rev.  J.  B., 

1888- 

Ayres,  Mrs., 

1888- 

Ballagh,  Mr.  J.  C., 

1875- 

*Ballagh,  Mrs.  L.  E., 

1875-1884 

Ballagh,  Mrs., 

1885- 

Ballagh,  Miss  A.  P., 

1884- 

Bigelow,  Miss  Gertrude  L.,  1886- 

Bryan,  Rev.  A.  V., 

1882- 

Bryan,  Mrs., 

1882- 

Carrothers,  Rev.  Cornelius,  1869-1875 

Carrothers,  Mrs.  J ulia  D., 

1869-1875 

Case,  Miss  Etta, 

1887- 

*Corues,  Rev.  Edward, 

1868-1870 

*Corues,  Mrs., 

1868-1870 

Curtis,  Rev.  F.  S., 

1887- 

Curtis,  Mrs., 

1887- 

Cuthbert,  Miss  M.  N., 

1887- 

Davis,  Miss  A.  K., 

1880- 

Doughty,  Rev.  J,  W., 

1890- 

Doughty,  Mrs., 

1890- 

Eldred,  Miss  C.  E., 

1877-1880 

Fisher,  Rev.  C.  M., 

1883- 

Fisher,  Mrs., 

1883- 

Fulton,  Rev.  G.  W., 

1889- 

Fulton,  Mrs., 

1889- 

Gamble,  Miss  A.  M., 

1873-1875 

Gardner,  Miss  Sarah, 

1889- 

Garvin,  Miss  A.  E., 

1882- 

*Green,  Rev  0.  M., 

1873-1882 

Gulick,  Miss  F., 

1876-1879 

Haworth,  Rev.  B.  C., 

1887- 

Haworth,  Mrs., 

1887- 

Haworth,  Miss  Alice  R., 

1887- 

Hayes,  Rev.  M.  C., 

1887- 

Hayes,  Mi’s., 

1887- 

Hays,  Miss  Emma, 

1688- 

Heanst,  Rev.  J.  P., 

1884- 

Hearst,  Mrs., 

1884- 

Henry,  Miss  M.  E., 

1882-1883 

Hepburn,  J.  C.,  M.D., 

1859- 

Hepburn,  Mrs., 

1859- 

Hesser,  Miss  M.  K., 

1882- 

Imbrie,  Rev.  William, 

1875- 

Imbrie,  Mrs., 

1875- 

Knox,  Rev.  G.  W., 

1877- 

Knox,  Ml’S., 

1877- 

Lafferty,  Miss  Cora, 

1888- 

I^andis,  Rev.  H.  M., 

1888- 

Landis,  Mi’s., 

1888- 

Leete,  Miss  Isabella  A., 

1881- 

Leete,  Miss  Lena, 

1881-1886 

Leonard,  Rev.  J.  M., 

1888- 

Leonard,  Mrs., 

1888- 

Light,  Effie,  M.D., 

1887-1888 

Loomis,  Rev.  Henry, 

1872-1876 

Loomis,  Mrs., 

1872-1876 

Loveland,  Miss  Helen  S., 

1889- 

24  historical  sketch  of  the  missions  in  japan. 


Mai-sh,  Miss  Belle, 

1876-1879 

McCartee,  D.  B.,  M.D., 

1888- 

McCartee,  Mrs., 

1888- 

McCauley,  Rev.  J.  M., 

1880- 

McCauley,  Mrs., 

McGuire,  Miss  M.  E., 

1880- 

1889- 

McNair,  Rev.  T.  M., 

1883- 

*McNair,  Mi's., 

1883-1887 

McCartney,  Miss  E., 

1884-1885 

Miller,  Rev.  E.  R., 

1872-1875 

Milliken,  Miss  B.  D., 

1884- 

Murray,  Miss  Lily, 

1888- 

Naylor,  Mrs.  S.  N., 

1886- 

Piereon,  Rev.  Geo  P., 

1888- 

Porter,  Rev.  James  B., 
Porter,  Mrs.  (Miss  Cum- 

1881- 

mings,  M.D.,  1883-), 

1884- 

Porter,  Miss  F.  E., 

1882- 

Reede,  Miss  W.  L., 

1881-1888 

Rose,  Miss  C.  H., 

1886- 

Shaw,  Miss  Kate, 

1889- 

Smith,  Miss  S.  C., 

1880- 

Taylor,  Rev.  A.  G., 

1888- 

Taylor,  Mrs., 

Thompson,  Rev.  David, 
Thompson,  Mi's.  (Miss  M. 

1888- 

1863- 

C.  Parke,  1873-), 

1873- 

True,  Ml'S.  M.  T., 

1876- 

Warner,  Miss  A., 

1885- 

West,  Miss  A.  B., 

1883- 

Winn,  Rev.  T.  C., 

1878- 

Winn,  Mrs., 

1878- 

Woodhull,  Rev.  Geo.  E., 

1888- 

Woodhull,  Mrs., 

1888- 

Youngman,  Miss  K.  M., 

1873- 

Books  of  Reference. 

A Bundle  of  Letters  from  Japan.  A.  C.  Maclay.  $2.00. 

A Japanese  Boy.  By  Himself.  75  ets. 

Art  and  Art  Industries  of  Japan.  Sir  R.  Alcock. 
Grandmamma’s  Lettere  from  Japan.  Mrs.  M.  Prnyn.  $1.00. 
Honda,  the  Samurai.  Rev.  W.  E.  Griffis.  7.s.  (id. 

Japan  in  Our  Day.  Bayard  Taylor. 

Japanese  Homes.  E.  S.  Morse.  $3.00. 

Kesa  and  Saijiro.  Mrs.  J.  D.  Carrothers.  $1.75. 

Life  and  Adventure  in  Japan.  E.  Warren  Clark. 

Reports  of  Missionary  Conventions  in  Japan,  1878-1883. 
Stories  about  Japan.  Annie  R.  Butler. 

The  Mikado’s  Empire.  W.  E.  Griffis.  $4.00. 

The  Sunrise  Kingdom.  Mrs.  J.  D.  Carrothers.  $2.00. 
Unbeaten  Tracks  in  Japan.  Isabella  L.  Bird. 


>30003000000^ 


KOREA. 


^oooooooooooooooooooooooeoo^ 


BY 


Key.  L.  W.  ECKARD,  D.D. 


[ooooe*] 


MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


Korea,  long  a recluse,  has  unbarred  her  doors,  and  permits 
herself,  at  last,  to  be  greeted  by  other  eivilizations.  The  tradi- 
tional policy  has  been  that  of  strict  isolation,  made  possible  by 
geographical  position.  China  indeed  exercised  a suzerainty 
over  the  land.  The  martial  prowess  of  Japan  triumphed 
there,  and  for  a brief  season  maintained  a certain  supremacy. 
The  zeal  of  Papal  Propagandism  carried  Rome’s  banner  be- 
yond the  border  barriers,  and  planted  it  successfully  in  the 
interior  of  the  Kingdom.  But  these  exeeptional  instances  only 
prove  the  rule,  so  sternly  enforced,  that  Korea  should  remain 
silent,  and  be  kept  quite  separate  from  the  world’s  sisterhood  of 
States.  History  is  made  rapidly  in  our  day.  A few  years  have 
witnessed  a marvelous  change  in  this  Sphinx  of  the  nations. 
Her  petrified  form  has  awakened  at  the  voice  of  French  and 
American  cannon,  and  thrilled  at  the  sight  of  the  white  wings  of 
commerce.  Soon  her  countenance  shall  be  illumined  with  the 
brightness  and  beauty  of  Christ’s  religion,  already  carried  to  her 
threshold,  and  urged  upon  her  acceptance. 

AREA  AND  BOUNDARIES. 

Korea  consists  of  a stretch  of  Peninsular  mainland,  together 
with  numerous  adjacent  and  inhabited  islands.  The  entire  terri- 
tory covers  80,000  square  miles,  lying  between  the  34th  and  43d 
parallels  of  north  latitude;  and  the  125°  and  129°  of  east  longi- 
tude. Its  physical  configuration  somewhat  resembles  that  of 
Italy.  The  coast  line  is  1740  miles.  On  the  north  "flow  the 
rivers  Ya-lu  and  Tu-men,  which  divide  Korea  from  Mantchuria. 
Southward  and  westward  are  the  turbid  waters  of  the  Yellow 
Sea.  The  eastern  boundary  is  the  Sea  of  Japan,  as  attractive  as 
it  is  treacherous;  across  whose  ferry  of  300  miles  the  clustered 
groups  of  the  “ Sunrise  Land  ” appear.  As  regards  its 

GENERAL  ASPECT 

it  can  only  be  described  as  diversified.  A mountainous  chain 

29 


30 


historical  sketch  or 


traverses  the  extreme  length  by  a tortuous  course,  and  termi- 
nates only  with  the  sea.  East  of  this  range  lie  three  of  the  eight 
provinces  into  which  the  country  is  divided.  A picturesque  ir- 
regularity— at  times  positive  grandeur — is  characteristic  of  this 
section  ; but  there  is  only  one  river  of  importance,  while  the 
soil  is  less  fertile,  the  climate  less  agreeable,  and  the  coast  more 
repellant  than  on  the  opposite  side.  Five  fine  rivers,  abundant 
coast  facilities,  naturally  good  soil  and  more  genial  climatic  condi- 
tions are  found  in  the  western  division.  To  these  advantages  must 
be  added  the  attractions  of  the  outlying  Archipelago ; a wonder- 
world  to  the  naturalist,  a revelation  to  the  tourist,  and  destined 
to  become,  when  its  resources  are  developed,  a source  of  immense 
revenue  to  the  parent  state.  Language  can  only  inadequately 
describe  what  is  seen  amidst  the  intricacies  of  these  unnumbered 
islands — large  and  small.  Some  are  mere  columns,  weird  and 
worn,  against  which  the  waves  beat,  and  in  whose  crevices  the 
sea  birds  find  shelter.  Others,  more  extensive,  seem  to  be  pleasant 
garden-spots,  where  a score  of  men  or  the  same  number  of  fami- 
lies find  support.  And  here  and  there  rise  veritable  mountains 
— one  of  which  is  2000  feet  high — 

“ With  slippery  brinks,  and  solitudes  of  snow  ; 

And  granite  bleakness,  where  the  Vulture  screams  ; 

.\nd  stormy  pines,  that  wrestle  with  the  breath 
Of  every  tempest.” 

The  Muscovite  knows  the  value  of  and  covets  these  possessions. 
China — but  eighty  miles  from  the  nearest  point — is  a standing 
menace  to  their  security.  But  they  shall  yet  be  laid  at  the  feet 
of  Him  for  whom  “ the  isles  are  waiting.” 

In  the  matter  of 

TEMPERATURE 

we  are  dependent  for  our  chief  information  on  the  reports  of 
Jesuit  missionaries  who  from  time  to  time  have  secured  a transient 
foothold  in  Korea.  The  winters,  up  toward  the  Mantchurian 
frontier,  are  of  course  very  severe — even  more  so  than  the  latitude 
would  naturally  indicate.  Further  south,  the  climate  has  a range 
similar  to  that  met  with  in  America,  between  the  New  England 
and  the  Gulf  States.  The  rainfall  is  apt  to  be  excessive,  and 
harsh  and  persistent  winds  prevail  in  the  late  autumn.  Yet  the 
stalwart  forms  of  the  natives  would  seem  to  prove  the  salubrious- 
ness of  the  air,  and  the  average  healthfulness  of  the  Kingdom. 

THE  PRODUCTS 

might  be  as  varied  as  within  similar  geographical  limits  in  our 
own  land,  but  as  a matter  of  fact  agriculture  is  conducted  on 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


31 


primitive  principles,  and  the  people  are  content  if  they  secure  a 
mere  livelihood  from  the  soil.  Pernicious  laws — the  outgrowth 
of  a by  no  means  extinct  feudalism — tend  to  the  repression  of 
private  enterprise,  prevent  the  ownership  of  land  by  the  poorer 
classes,  and  contribute  to  the  support  of  large  estates,  which 
generally,  however,  have  lapsed  into  a condition  of  inferiority,  if 
not  of  positive  decay.  In  this  particular  the  country  has  degen- 
erated. Its  productions  in  the  past  excelled  those  now  found 
— as  regards  both  quantity  and  quality. 

Besides  the  corn,  millet,  rice,  barley  and  beans  upon  which  the 
people  depend,  hemp,  cotton,  tobacco,  and  ginger  are  cultivated 
extensively.  Silk  is  also  produced  on  plantations  of  mulberry 
and  “ scrub  ” oak,  grown  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  the  worms. 
There  is  a sufficient  range  of  fruit ; apricots,  peaches  and 
melons  are  of  a fine  quality ; flowers  are  universally  admired, 
and  cultivated  as  extensively  as  private  means  permit.  The 
wealthier  families  vie  with  each  other  in  chrysanthemum  exhibits 
each  year.  All  the  domestic  animals  wita  which  we  are  familiar 
are  to  be  had  in  Korea.  A breed  of  ponies — rivaling  the  Shetland 
in  size — should  make  child-life  there  a perpetual  joy.  Unfortu- 
nately the  little  animals  are  only  used  cis  pack-horses.  Beasts  of 
prey  are  numerous  in  the  mountains. 

Zoologists  meet  here  a fact  not  yet  explained.  The  exact 
counterpart  of  the  Bengalese  tiger — the  terror  of  India’s  jungles 
— is  found  in  the  northern  provinces,  where  the  thermometer  falls 
to  8°  below  Zero.  The  identical  animal  in  torrid  and  frigid 
lands ! The  writer  can  testify  to  this  identity  from  personal 
observation,  having  seen  one  of  these  splendid  creatures  soon  after 
it  was  shot.  Prof.  Griffis  quotes  approvingly  the  grim  humor 
of  the  Chinese  who  say,  “ Koreans  hunt  the  tiger  half  the  year, 
and  tigers  hunt  Koreans  during  the  other  half”  This,  at  least 
indicates  the  frequency  with  which  these  feline  monsters  are  met. 

HISTORY. 

Korea  calls  herself  4000  years  old.  Legendary  accounts  refer 
us  to  Ki  Tsze,  the  governmental  Father  of  Korea.  He  was  a 
learned  man,  who  acted  as  adviser  to  his  sovereign,  the  Emperor 
of  China.  His  royal  master,  resenting  some  supposed  interfer- 
ence, cast  him  into  prison.  Here  he  languished  a while  until 
a formidable  rebellion  overthrew  the  tyrant  monarch,  and  libera- 
ted those  whom  he  had  unjustly  jmnished.  Ki  Tsze  was  thus  freed. 
Yet,  although  indebted  to  them  for  both  life  and  liberty,  he  refused 
to  abide  with  rebels,  and  collecting  some  like minded  followers, 
numbering  thousands,  he  led  them  to  the  “ regions  beyond,”  and 
paused  only  when  he  reached  territory  adjacent  to  the  present 


82 


historical  sketch  of 


Korean  boundary.  This  he  named  “ Chosen,”  Laud  of  Morning 
Calm.  The  dynasty  thus  established  was  illustrious,  and  as 
claimed,  continued  from  1122  b.c.  to  the  fourth  century  before 
the  Christian  era. 

Concerning  the  aborigines  whom  Ki  Tsze  subdued,  we  know 
nothing.  About  194  b.c.  occurred  the  first  Chinese  conquest  of 
the  land,  which  was  retained,  with  some  interruption,  until  107 
B.C.,  when  the  Kingdom,  as  such,  was  obliterated  and  the  territory 
“ annexed  ” to  China,  continuing  thus  for  some  hundreds  of  years. 

The  progenitors  of  the  modern  Koreans,  according  to  the 
authorities  cited  by  GrifBs,  were  the  men  of  Fuyu,  a stalwart  race 
from  Northern  Mantchuria,  who  wrested  the  Peninsula  from 
the  Chinese,  and  established  the  Ko  Korai  Kingdom.  Gigantic 
armies  and  flotillas  were  sent  from  China  to  re-assert  and  maintain 
the  supremacy  of  the  Dragon  Flag,  but  in  vain.  We  find  the 
new  kingdom  able  to  maintain  itself  until  at  least  the  seventh  cen- 
tury. While  these  events  were  occurring,  Chinese  immigration, 
diplomacy  and  power  largely  influenced  the  southern  section  of 
the  Peninsula,  which,  however,  lay  outside  of  the  Ko  Korain 
kingdom.  Sectional  and  foreign  wars  too  numerous  to  recount 
prevailed.  About  the  tenth  century  the  whole  Peninsula  was 
unified  under  the  Government  of  Wang  — the  Bismarck  of  his 
day.  The  ensuing  dynasty  comprised  thirty-two  monarchs.  In 
the  fourteenth  century  this  line  was  overthrown  by  Ni  Taijd,  who 
afterwards  received  investiture  as  king.  He  hastened  to  formally 
acknowledge  the  vassalage  of  his  realm  to  China  and  was-  conse- 
(juently  the  recipient  of  greatest  honors  from  that  source.  From 
that  time  to  the  present  the  same  dynastic  rule  has  been  continued ; 
1885  being  its  493d  year  of  existence.  Strictly  speaking,  how- 
ever, the  direct  line  ended  in  1864. 

MENTAL  CULTURE  AND  SOCIAL  HABITS. 

The  Koreans  have  been  described  as  a cross  between  the 
Chinese  and  the  Japanese,  but  more  resembling  the  latter,  though 
the  influence  of  China  has  been  predominating.  The  upper  and 
middle  classes  are  largely  Confucianists,  while  the  lower  class 
worship"  the  God  of  the  hills,”  and  the  “ unseen  princes  of  the  air.” 
The  literati  attempt  no  general  research  — but  content  themselves 
with  the  writings  of  the  sages  of  the  Middle  Kingdom.  Origin- 
ality of  thought  is  not  encouraged  ; general  education,  as  we 
understand  it,  is  unknown.  Schools  indeed  are  common,  and 
many  even  of  the  humbler  classes  are  found  in  them ; yet  the 
great  mass  remain  untaught.  Political  preferment  is  based  on 
competitive  examination.  Successful  aspirants  receive  diplomas, 
denoting  the  degree  they  have  taken.  Special  institutions  for 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


33 


instruction  in  astronomy,  medicine,  topography,  law,  etc.,  are 
maintained  at  Government  expense  and  are  patronized  by  a 
favored  few.  The  dwellings  of  the  people  are  poor  enough ; 
many  are  only  of  mud,  thatched  with  straw.  Where  means  per- 
mit, brick  and  hewn  stone — in  some  instances  finely  carved — are 
used.  Household  appliances  and  comforts  are  few. 

The  range  of  dress  is  limited,  only  two  materials  being  much 
used — cotton  for  the  poor  and  silk  for  the  wealthy.  That 
cleanliness  which  is  next  to  godliness  is  not  characteristic  of 
the  Koreans.  House-cleaning,  however,  is  attended  to  once 
a month,  which  is  believed  to  be  an  unparalleled  illustration  of 
woman’s  persistence  and  man’s  uncomplaining  patience.  Holi- 
days are  common,  and  public  merry-makings  frequent.  Suffi- 
cient data  to  accurately  fix  the  approximate  population  is  not  in 
our  possession  ; probably  the  Koreans  themselves  could  not  tell. 
Griffis  calls  it  12,000,000,  but  his  conclusion  is  largely  con- 
jectural, and  quite  wide  of  other  estimates. 

Woman’s  status  resembles  that  of  the  sex  in  other  Asiatic 
regions.  Inferiority  is  assumed,  but  practically  there  is  not  as 
much  harshness  in  the  treatment  of  her  as  might  be  supposed,  or 
as  is  often  asserted.  Under  many  circumstances  women  are  even 
treated  with  respect,  and  are  protected  by  certain  of  the  laws. 

THE  RELIGIONS  OP  KOREA. 

In  the  earlier  ages  an  undefined  superstition  held  sway  over 
the  people.  The  unseen  “ Princes  of  the  Air,”  the  spirits  of 
heaven  and  earth,  the  unknown  forces  throughout  space,  were 
“ ignorantly  worshipped.”  Neither  in  the  past  or  present  have 
the  Koreans  indulged  in  the  folly  of  denying  a personal  devil. 
Their  trouble  is  a belief  in  too  many  devils.  To  them  the  very 
atmosphere  teems  with  malevolent,  rather  than  benevolent  in- 
fluences. Buddhism,  as  an  exotic  from  India,  was  planted  in . 
Korea  about  the  fourth  century.  At  once  it  took  firm  hold,  and 
flourished  as  though  indigenous  to  the  soil.  For  at  least  ten 
centuries  it  held  supreme  sway,  moulding  the  morals,  manners 
and  culture  of  the  realm.  For  four  centuries  the  tenets  of  Sakya 
Muni  were  recognized  as  the  established  faith  of  the  Empire. 

No  one  has  yet  given  the  world  an  exhaustive  review  of 
Buddhism.  It  will  never  be  done ; like  the  chameleon  the 
system  changes  color  to  suit  its  surroundings.  The  Buddhism 
of  Siam  is  very  different  from  that  of  Thibet.  As  found  in 
Hindustan,  numerous  distinctions  separate  it  from  the  Buddhism 
of  Japan.  The  one  point  it  consistently  maintains,  everywhere, 
is,  that  this  life  is  full  of  evil,  a curse  rather  than  a blessing. 
Existence  has  no  value;  even  death  brings  no  relief,  since  it  in- 


34 


HISTORICAL  sketch  OF 


troduces  man  to  another  state  of  conscious  existence,  which  is 
as  bad  as  the  present,  perhaps  worse.  Hence,  joy  can  only  come 
by  what  is  called  Nirvana,  a condition  equivalent  to  non-ex- 
istence or  annihilation.  This  is  the  underlying  thought  upon 
which  the  superstructure  of  Buddhism  is  reared.  Temples  of 
this  faith  are  found  all  through  Korea.  Although  built  in  honor 
of  Buddha  they  really  contain  numerous  gods.  In  some  instances 
several  hundred  inferior  deities  are  ranged  along  the  sides  of  the 
buildings ; these  are  often  made  of  colossal  size,  and,  in  the  cities 
especially,  sometimes  exhibit  artistic  merit.  As  far  as  practicable, 
the  temples  are  on  hill-tops,  and  generally  surrounded  by  groves. 
While  uniformity  of  architecture  is  not  insisted  on — a certain 
resemblance  is  to  be  traced  in  them  all.  Outside  apartments  are 
built  for  the  priests  who  live  on  the  premises.  These  men  are 
generally  lazy  and  ignorant  fellows,  more  intent  on  a life  of  sloth 
than  upon  the  advancement  of  their  belief.  The  support  of  such 
establishments  is  voluntary,  and  often  liberal. 

Worship  consists  in  prostration  and  prayer  before  the  idol, 
the  burning  of  incense,  the  presentation  of  paper  suitably  in- 
scribed, and  the  repetition  of  a formula  which  is  assisted  by  a 
rosary  held  in  the  hand,  and  on  which  the  count  is  kept.  At 
present  Buddhism  in  Korea  is  on  the  wane.  It  has  no  recogni- 
tion by  the  present  dynasty,  and  only  exists  by  sufference. 

As  superseding  grosser  forms  of  belief  it  has  undoubtedly  been 
of  benefit.  But  its  absolute  influence  is  only  evil,  and  the  sooner 
its  degeneracy  is  followed  by  its  death,  the  better  for  the  land  it 
blights.  Its  most  conspicuous  competitor  in  Korea  is  Confucian- 
ism. This  strictly  is  an  ethical  rather  than  a religious  system, 
and  is  based  on  the  writing  of  Kung  Futze,  the  Socrates  of  China, 
who,  although  born  551  B.C.,  is 

“ Not  yet  dead. 

But  in  old  marbles  ever  beautiful.” 

Confucianism,  while  introduced  into  Korea  at  an  early  period, 
has  been  prominent  there  for  only  three  hundred  years.  It  pre- 
sents five  general  principles : Benevolence,  Uprightness,  Polite- 
ness, Wisdom  and  Fidelity.  It  treats  moreover  of  five  relations 
of  life,  which  are : King  and  Subject,  Parent  and  Child,  Hus- 
band and  Wife,  Elder  and  Younger  Brother,  and  Friend  with 
Friend.  Nothing  is  said  of  the  soul’s  immortality.  Concerning 
the  existence  of  any  God  or  gods,  one  of  its  authorities  declares, 
“ Suflicient  knowledge  is  not  possessed  to  say  positively  that  they 
exist,  and  I see  no  difficulty  in  omitting  the  subject  altogether.” 
Indeed,  Confucianism  chiefly  seeks  to  mould  society  in  social  and 
political  matters.  It  presents  many  admirable  ideas  which  yet 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


35 


fall  infinitely  short  of  the  truth  man  chiefly  needs.  A Confucian 
temple  contains  no  idols.  The.  building  is  distinguished  within 
by  a tablet  which  sets  forth  the  honor  of  the  great  Sage. 
Generally  a large  number  of  less  conspicuous  tablets  appear, 
which  praise  his  best  known  disciples.  An  altar  is  erected  where 
sacrifice  is  made,  or  offerings  are  laid.  Some  of  the  displays  on 
festal  occasions  are  very  fine.  The  second  and  eighth  months 
are  the  fixed  times  for  offering  sacrifice  to  Confucius,  who  is  not, 
however,  regarded  as  a god,  as  these  facts  would  seem  to  indicate. 

Taoism  also  exists  in  Korea,  but  exerts  little  influence.  Its 
distinctive  feature  is  Rationalism.  Its  ceremonies  are  singular, 
and  its  tenets  grossly  materialistic.  It  is  also  an  importation 
from  China,  where  it  originated  with  the  philosopher  Laotse,  who 
lived  in  the  seventh  century.  It  offers  many  idols,  yet  neither 
the  temjDles  or  the  priests  are  numerous,  or  well  supported. 

Far  more  worthy  of  our  regard  is  ancestral  worship,  as  it 
exists  in  Korea.  It  is  really  an  expression  of  the  popular  idea 
of  what  constitutes  filial  piety.  K families  can  afford  it  they 
erect  handsome  temples,  and  there  place  tablets  inscribed  with 
the  names  and  virtues  of  their  immediate  ancestors.  A valuable 
result  of  this  idea  is  the  preservation  of  a complete  genealogical 
list.  Generally  the  tablet  is  erected  without  the  dignity  of  a 
temple  to  shelter  it.  Before  these  tablets,  and  in  honor  of  the 
deceased,  theatrical  plays  are  performed  on  temporary  stages ; 
presentations  of  food  are  made  to  the  departed  spirit,  and  even 
more  commonly,  prayers  are  offered  and  wailings  uttered. 

THE  INTRODUCTION  OF  CHRISTIANITY. 

Possibly,  ill  the  sixteenth  century,  and  certainly  in  the  eigh- 
teenth, Papal  converts  fi’om  Japan  and  China  carried  Romish  re- 
ligion into  Korea.  They  taught,  they  baptized,  they  labored  with 
conspicuous  zeal,  although  not  always  with  commendable  caution. 

About  1783  a distinguished  official,  Senghuni  by  name,  pro- 
fessed conversion,  and  was  baptized'  under  the  new  name  of 
Peter.  The  better  class  of  scholars  were  not  slow  to  see  the 
superiority  of  even  corrupt  Christianity  to  their  own  Pagan 
systems.  The  people  began  to  take  kindly  to  the  missionaries, 
who  were  greatly  encouraged.  Religious  books  were  translated 
and  distributed. 

But  the  government  was  now  thoroughly  alarmed.  The  priest- 
hood was  awakened.  Prejudice  being  kindled,  blazed  into  pas- 
sion and  consumed  the  new  church  with  the  fierce  fires  of  unre- 
lenting persecution.  It  was  the  old  story.  Many  recanted  and 
saved  their  lives.  Others  fled  to  China,  and  four  thousand  poor 
souls  braved  martyrdom  by  sword  and  fagot,  and  unmentionable 
toi'tures. 


36 


HIS'TORICAI^  SKETCH  OF 


Jean  dos  Remidios,  a priest  from  Portugal,  was  the  first  person 
from  the  West  who  ever  ventured  on  Korean  soil  for  the  purpose 
of  preaching  and  teaching.  Holland  sailors  were  shipwrecked 
there  in  1672,  and  detained  as  prisoners  for  some  time.  But 
their  stay  was  involuntary,  and  their  work  by  no  means  evan- 
gelistic. 

The  results  of  Remidios’  efforts  were  considerable  at  first,  but 
soon  passed  away.  In  1835,  under  the  influence  of  Bourbon 
ascendency  in  France,  Roman  Catholic  missions  were  re-intro- 
duced to  Korea.  The  pioneers  of  this  fresh  crusade  went  over- 
land by  w'ay  of  China  and  Mantchuria.  In  a few  years  they 
claimed  several  thousands  of  adherents.  As  before,  and  for 
the  same  reasons,  blood  soon  drowned  out  all  traces  of  the  boasted 
conquest.  Again  and  again  Rome  rallied,  and  as  often  w'as 
driven  from  the  field.  The  workmen  died,  and  the  work  itself 
was  deserted.  So  it  seemed,  at  least.  Yet  a remnant  must  have 
survived.  Even  if  we  discredit  the  Jesuit  story,  doubtless  highly 
colored,  that  they  had  10,000  converts  in  1850,  and  about  15,000 
seven  years  later,  still  we  must  believe  that  there  was  some  foun- 
dation for  their  statement. 

The  year  1860  was  important  in  the  East.  It  was  then  that  Eng- 
lish arms  so  completely  mastered  the  resistance  of  the  great  Chinese 
Empire.  British  greed  had  forced  India’s  opium  upon  the  people  of 
the  eighteen  Provinces.  British  guns  were  the  unanswerable  argu- 
fnent  which  supported  the  demand.  The  forts  of  the  Peiho  fell 
before  the  merciless  fire  to  which  they  were  subjected.  Pekin 
was  taken  and  sacked.  The  prestige  of  China  was  destroyed.  It 
was  all  man’s  wrong  and  man’s  wrath  against  his  fellow-man. 
Yet,  how  God  overruled  it  for  His  own  glory  ! The  fruits  of  that 
victory — directly  or  indirectly — were  the  enforced  opening  of  new 
Chinese  ports  to  commerce,  additional  guarantees  for  Christian 
Missions,  and  the  opportunity  it  gave  Russia  of  seizing  lands  con- 
tiguous to  China. 

Now’here  more  than  in  Korea  were  these  changes  felt.  It  had 
been  supposed  that  China  was  impregnable.  But  the  Dragon 
Throne  had  been  despoiled  by  a mere  handful  of  “ outside  bar- 
barians.” The  great  Emperor  was  an  exile  in  Tartary.  The 
red  cross  of  St.  George  floated  over  the  palace  of  Pekin.  All 
this  sent  a thrill  of  consternation  through  the  “ hermit  nation  ”■ — 
where  the  more  thoughtful  ones  could  see  that  such  an  overthrow 
W'as  indicative  of  their  own  peril,  if  not  a prelude  to  their  own  de- 
struction. The  handwriting  was  on  the  wall.  One  has  said, 
“ Political  convulsions,  like  geological  upheavings,  usher  in  new 
epochs  of  the  world’s  progress.”  It  has  proved  so  in  this  instance. 
Paganism  at  once  made  frantic  efforts  to  shut  itself  securely  away 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


37 


from  progress.  Armies  were  drilled  in  Korea,  forts  were  built, 
frontiers  were  guarded,  every  precaution  was  taken.  Watch-fires 
were  kindled  at  a moment’s  notice  on  tlie  coast,  and  headland 
telegraphed  to  headland  of  any  impending  danger.  All  was  in 
vain. 

AVithin  six  years  Kapoleon  III.  sent  an  expedition  to  Koi’ea. 
On  the  plea  that  certain  Frenchmen  had  been  slain  in  a recent 
])ersecution  of  Christians,  Admiral  Koze,  of  the  French  navy, 
blockaded  Han  River,  penetrated  the  interior  as  far  as  Seoul,  the 
capital,  and  completely  destroyed  the  city  of  Kang  AVa,  situated 
on  an  island  of  that  name,  and  the  chief  military  depot  of  AVest- 
ern  Korea.  He  afterwards  attacked  Tong  Chin.  Here  he  was 
repulsed  with  great  loss,  being  ultimately  obliged  to  retire 
altogether. 

An  American  buccaneering  expedition,  on  the  schooner  “ Gen- 
eral Sherman,”  in  1866,  made  a futile  attempt  to  reach  the  royal 
tombs  of  Pingan,  where  it  was  said  that  tlie  Emperors  of  Korea  were 
buried  in  coffins  of  gold.  The  Yankee  craft  ran  aground  at  low 
tide  in  the  river.  In  this  helpless  condition  it  was  surrounded  by 
blazing  tire-rafts  and  destroyed  ; the  crew  were  all  slain.  Admiral 
Rowan,  on  the  Flagship  “AA^achusett,”  immediately  demanded  of 
Korea  an  explanation  of  her  “insult  to  the  flag.”  Not  meeting 
with  success,  he  returned  to  China,  but  almost  immediately  des- 
2)atched  the  U.  S.  Corvette  “Shenandoah,”  whose  officers  finally 
learned  the  particulars  just  given. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  our  government  must  take  some 
steps  to  ensure  the  safety  of  American  mariners  who  were  in 
the  ivaters  adjacent  to  Korea,  and  might  be  shipwrecked.  The 
authorities  at  AA’^ashington  instructed  the  new  minister  to  China, 
Hon.  Fred.  F.  Low,  to  proceed  to  the  Korean  Capital,  and  if 
possible  conclude  a commercial  treaty  between  that  Empire  and 
the  United  States,  having  especially  in  view  the  point  alluded  to. 

Rear  Admiral  John  Rodgers,  commanding  the  Asiatic  squad- 
ron, was  directed  to  accompany  him  with  sufficient  force  to  main- 
tain the  nation’s  honor.  Five  war  vessels  were  detailed  for  this 
duty.  On  May  23d,  1871,  this  little  fleet  anchored  off’  the  west- 
ern coast  of  Korea.  The  Americans,  on  landing,  were  treated 
with  civility.  Eight  Korean  officers  visited  tlie  Flagship,  al- 
though they  presented  no  credentials.  Pending  diplomatic  nego- 
tiations, the  Admiral  ordered  a survey  of  the  Han  River.  To 
this  duty  two  gun-boats  and  four  steam-launches  were  assigned. 
Ascending  the  river  in  obedience  to  orders,  they  were  met  by  a 
terrific  fire  from  numerous  shore  batteries,  which  opened  upon 
them  without  jirevious  warning.  The  forts  were  silenced  by  a 
return  fire,  and  demolished  by  ten-inch  shells,  after  which  the 


38 


HISTORICAI,  sketch  OF 


ships  returned  to  anchorage.  As  no  apology  Avas  offered  within 
ten  days  for  this  assaidt,  759  men  were  landed  and  ordered  to 
carry  the  citadel.  This  was  done  in  splendid  style.  To  the  credit 
of  their  courage  be  it  said,  the  Koreans  refused  to  surrender,  and 
when  their  stronghold  fell,  it  was  found  that  only  twenty  of  the 
garrison  survived,  and  they  were  wounded.  Three  hundred  and 
fifty  corpses  were  jiiled  up  in  one  place.  If  they  failed  it  was  not 
through  cowardice. 

In  reality,  the  Americans  gained  no  substantial  advantage, 
and,  like  the  French,  were  inclined  to  withdraw  without  further 
demonstrations.  Yet  they  prepared  the  way  for  others  to  enter. 
The  voice  of  their  howitzers  was  heard  in  the  laud. 

In  1876,  Japan  accomplished  the  important  task,  never  before 
successful,  of  making  a complete  treaty  with  Korea.  This  ivas 
done  under  the  potent  influence  of  a powerful  fleet,  and  a large 
force  of  troops.  The  French  and  English  tried  to  take  immedi- 
ate advantage,  but  made  no  headway.  This  was  in  1881. 
iNIeanwhile,  the  trade  between  Korea  and  Japan  increased  mar- 
velously, a fact  which  incited  Western  envy  to  seek  some  method 
of  dividing  its  obvious  profits. 

Under  the  direction  of  President  Hayes,  and  the  authority  of 
Congress,  Commodore  Shufeldt  visited  Korea,  and  vainly  en- 
deavored to  establish  cordial  relations  with  the  authorities. 
Nothing  was  accomplished.  The  , following  year,  however, 
through  the  friendly  intervention  of  Li  Hung  Chang,  the  Chinese 
Viceroy,  the  Commodore  was  better  received,  and  on  May  6, 
1882,  he  negotiated  an  agreement  which  binds  together  the  “Out- 
jiost  State  ” and  the  United  States  in  terms  mutually  satisfactory. 

General  Foote  was  sent  by  President  Arthur,  as  minister  resi- 
dent, to  Seoul.  He  was  received  at  court,  and  established  at 
the  capital  a United  States  legation. 

Evangelical  religion  was  introduced  into  Korea  by  Rev.  John 
Ross,  a minister  of  the  Scotch  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  Mant- 
churia.  In  1873  Mr.  Ross  visited  the  most  eastern  port  of  Mant- 
churia,  known  as  the  Korean  Gate,  the  place  where  Korean  mer- 
chants were  wont  to  exchange  the  products  of  their  country  for 
Chinese  ])roducts.  By  a remarkable  succession  of  providential 
events,  Mr.  Ross  was  enabled  to  translate  portions  of  the  Gospel  of 
Luke  into  the  Korean  language.  These  2)ortions,  in  the  form  of 
tracts,  were  carried  back  into  the  Korean  valleys  by  young  men 
who  had  come  under  the  influence  of  the  ti’uth  fhrough  Mr.  Ross 
and  his  associates.  In  the  course  of  time,  Mr.  Ross  and  Mr.  Webster, 
in  the  face  of  great  exposure  and  imminent  jjeril,  visited  the  valleys 
where  the  word  of  God  had  been  scattered,  and  to  their  joy  found 
many  who  were  ready  to  confess  Christ.  During  their  first  visit 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


39 


eighty-five  nieii  were  baptized  in  the  three  valleys,  and  many  were 
reserved  for  further  instruction.  Soon  after  these  events  our  own 
mission  was  organized,  followed  by  those  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Australia,  whose  missionary,  Mr.  Davis,  recently  died  of  small- 
pox. Mr.  Gale,  a representative  of  the  University  College 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  of  Toronto,  is  laboring  at  Fusan,  some  200  miles 
southeast  of  the  capital.  He  is  to  be  joined  in  the  near  future  by 
Dr.  Hardie,  a medical  missionary,  from  the  same  association. 
In  1884  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  began  a 
station  at  Seoul.  H.  N.  Allen,  M.D.,  then  living  in  China  as  a 
medical  missionary,  volunteered  to  go  thither.  He  was  sent,  and 
Mrs.  Allen  soon  followed  him.  Minister  Foote  at  once  appointed 
him  physician  to  the  Legation,  which  assured  his  safety  and  fa- 
vorable reception.  Previous  to  this,  Rijutei,  a Korean  of  high 
rank,  had  been  sent  to  represent  his  government  in  Japan.  Here 
he  was  converted.  It  was  at  his  solicitation  that  our  Board 
undertook  the  jiresent  work.  It  has  been  greatly  blessed  of  God. 
During  a disturbance  in  Seoul,  which  occurred  about  a month 
after  Dr.  Allen’s  arrival,  a number  of  persons  of  distinction  were 
wounded.  Under  Dr.  Allen’s  care,  many  of  them  recovered.  The 
life  of  Min  Yon  Ik,  a nephew  of  the  king,  was  thus  saved,  and  the 
prestige  gained  for  western  medical  science  and  for  the  whole 
work  of  missions  was  very  great.  Dr.  Allen’s  influence  was  un- 
bounded. The  king  at  once  received  him  into  his  confidence  as 
his  court  physician.  He  also  fitted  up  a government  hospital  at 
large  expense  and  placed  it  under  his  care. 

Since  that  time,  other  missionaries  have  joined  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Allen.  Conspicuous  among  these  was  Dr.  Herron,  who,  with  his 
wife,  entered  the  field  in  1885.  In  1887  Dr.  Herron  became 
physician  to  the  king,  and  was  given  charge  of  the  government 
hospital.  In  his  five  years  of  service  he  treated  professionally 
40,000  Koreans,  and  when  he  was  laid  upon  the  bed  of  suffering 
and  death,  the  loving  symjjathy  of  the  natives  whom  he  had 
helped  testified  to  their  regard  for  him. 

Rev.  H.  G.  Underwood  and  wife  have  been  working  in  Korea 
since  1885.  He  has  been  busily  engaged  in  carrying  a dictionary 
and  other  Korean  books  through  the  press  in  Japan,  while  Mrs. 
Underwood,  as  a practical  physician,  has  found  a wide  field  of 
usefulness.  A recent  tour  in  the  interior  has  proved  that  the 
Korean  officials  are  not  ready  to  openly  permit  the  preaching  of 
the  Gospel ; but  notwithstanding  prejudice  and  opposition,  the  mis- 
sion is  now  stronger  in  numbers,  in  knowledge  of  the  field,  and  in 
all  the  requisites  of  effective  work  than  ever  before.  Mr.  Under- 
wood’s greatest  work  thus  far  has  been  the  preparation  of  a Ko- 


40 


historical  sketch  oe 


reaii  grammar  and  a hand-book  of  the  language.  His  high  at- 
tainments in  Korean  fit  him  for  the  great  work  of  translating  the 
Scriptures,  to  which  he  is  devoting  much  time  and  labor. 

When  tlie  Korean  Embassy  came  to  Washington,  in  1889,  Dr. 
Allen  was  permitted,  at  the  earnest  request  of  the  king,  to  accom- 
j)any  them  as  secretary  and  director.  He  was  afterwards  reap- 
pointed by  the  Board  with  a view  to  opening  a missionary  station 
at  Fusan,  on  the  southeast  coast.  This  being  found  impossible  at 
j)resent.  Dr.  Allen,  with  the  consent  of  the  Board,  removed  to 
Cheniulpho,  the  port  of  Seoid,  on  the  west  coast.  He  has  since 
resigned  in  order  to  become  secretary  of  the  U.  S.  Legation  at 
Seoul. 

At  the  suggestion  of  our  Commissioner  of  Agriculture  at 
AV^ashington,  an  experimental  farm  has  been  started  in  Korea. 
Seeds,  with  directions,  have  been  contributed  from  the  Department. 
Tlie  intention  is  to  have  the  increase  of  these  scattered  through- 
out the  kingdom.  Blooded  animals  from  California  have  also 
lieen  purchased  for  this  government  plantation. 

Three  of  the  most  distinguished  nobles  of  the  emjiire  have 
entered  the  Methodist  College  at  Shanghai. 

What  of  the  future?  We  only  know  this — God’s  providences 
have  no  backward  steps.  Let  us  have  the  assurance  of  faith. 
Let  us  have  imjiortunity  in  pra3'er,  that  our  hope  may  share  the 
promise  of  that  futiu'e  when  on  the  entire  Peninsula  the  “ Light 
of  Asia”  shall  pale  before  the  “ Star  of  Bethlehem,”  when  Laotse 
and  Confucius  shall  be  forgotten  in  the  ascendency  of  Christ ; 
and  when  the  Cross  of  Calvary  shall  irradiate  Korea  with  such 
celestial  beauty  as  shall  make  it  indeed  the  “ land  of  morning 
calm.” 


Station. 

Mis.sion  begun  in  1884;  station,  Seoul,  the  capital,  near  the  western 
coast,  on  tlie  Han  River ; and  twenty-five  miles  overland  from  the  commer- 
cial port,  C'hemnlpho ; laborers — Rev.  Messrs.  H.  G.  Underwood,  D.  L. 
Clifford,  Wm.  M.  Baird  and  C.  C.  Vinton  and  their  wives ; Rev.  S.  A.  Mofiett ; 
jMrs.  J.  Herron  and  Miss  S.  A.  Doty. 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


41 


Missionaries  in  Korea. 

* Died.  Figures.  Temi  of  Service  in  the  Field. 


Allen,  H.  N.,  M.D., 

1884-1890 

Allen,  Mrs., 

1884-1890 

Baird,  Rev.  W.  E., 

1891- 

Baird,  Mrs., 

1891- 

Bunker,  Mrs.  Annie  Ellers, 

M.D., 

1886-1888 

Doty,  Miss  S.  A., 

1889- 

Gifford,  Rev.  D.  L., 
Gifford,  Ml'S.  (Mi.ss  Hay- 

1888- 

den), 

1888- 

*HeiTon,  John,  M.D.,  1885-1890 

Herron,  Mrs.,  1885- 

Moffett,  Rev.  S.  A.,  1889- 

Unclerwood,  Rev.  H.  G.,  1885- 
Underwood,  Mi-s.  (Dr. 

Lilian  S.  Horton,  1887)  1888- 
Vinton,  C.  C.,  M.D.,  1891- 

V in  ton,  Mi-s.,  1891- 


Books  of  Reference. 

A Forbidden  Land.  E.  Oppert.  $5.00. 

Choson.  Percival  Lowell.  $3.00. 

Korea,  the  Hermit  Nation.  W.  E.  Griffis.  $3.50. 
Korea  Without  and  Within.  W.  E.  Griffis.  $1.15. 
Life  in  Korea.  W.  R.  Carles.  12.s'.  Gd. 


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